Fans Go Wild as Jamal Murray’s MJ-Esque ‘Flu Game’ Forces Game 7 in Thrilling Playoffs Series
Nuggets star Jamal Murray stepped up for his side in Game 6 when it mattered despite battling sickness a day before.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (Image via FirstSportz)
Going into the crucial Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets had all to play for. And the likes of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets’ star duo, did not disappoint. On Thursday night, Denver defeated the Thunder 119-107 to set up a Game 7 of the Western Conference playoffs.
Jokic and Murray combined for 54 points, and Julian Strawther scored 15 points off the bench in the second half. Murray was termed ill the night before. David Adelman, the interim coach of the Nuggets, was called to inform him that his second-best star was sick. Playing in the elimination game that evening was doubtful.
JAMAL MURRAY FLU GAME FORCES GAME 7 🤒😤
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 16, 2025
25 PTS
8 REB
7 AST
42 MIN
Left it all on the court 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pqnl0T2q4b
However, Murray kept his sickness (flu) aside for Game 6 and starred out alongside Jokic at the Ball Arena, forcing a Game 7 in the process. Ahead of this matchup, Murray seemed confident of snatching this win and leveling the series.
It’s sports, man. But the greatest thing is, in a day and a half, we get to come back.
It’s safe to say that he and his side did come back. Murray had to drink fluids and play through it to push the leading Thunder to the limit. He finished with seven assists, eight rebounds, and 25 points. Although he wasn’t exactly like Michael Jordan in 1997, he was the Nuggets’ symbol of incredible tenacity.
Smug actions in loss have been a defining feature of the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom the Nuggets defeated in overtime of Game 3 with a 2-1 deficit, was seen grinning on camera as he left the court. The two Canadian guards have done so. It seems fitting that this series goes seven games.
Fans in awe of Jamal Murray’s performance against the Thunder in Game 6
There were major doubts about Jamal Murray playing Game 6 against the Thunder due to being ill a day before. However, he put all those doubts to bed when he was spotted entering the Ball Arena alongside his partner, Nikola Jokic, ahead of the game. Not only did he make himself available, but he also had a major impact on his side earning an important win in the process.
NBA fans were left amazed by his mentality and willpower to play despite being ill. Many fans took to various social media apps to put forward their views and thoughts on Murray’s dominance over the Thunder. One fan wrote on X, “Mal Flu Game Send It!,” making comparisons with the legendary Michael Jordan. Some fans also gave Nikola Jokic his fair share of praise. Check out some of the reactions below:
Mal Flu Game 🤧 Send It! https://t.co/RzX1Ri0cYd pic.twitter.com/uM7YQ1btxL
— MileHighCoreFour (@MileHighCore4) May 15, 2025
Jamal Murray flu game pic.twitter.com/VE4PUdDy4T
— Lindt 🇨🇦 (@bootleglindt) May 16, 2025
jokic is fucking unreal, bro
— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) May 16, 2025
These passes have become so normal it's barely even a highlight for Jokic anymore. What a pass. pic.twitter.com/RrD7GOxZC3
— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) May 16, 2025
Jokic & Murray pic.twitter.com/LOOa9Z65Wq
— 💲 (@fourdtough) May 16, 2025
TOP 1 FLU GAME OF ALL TIME
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) May 16, 2025
Jamal Murray tonight pic.twitter.com/4zF5eM6biM
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) May 16, 2025
As for Jokic, throughout the series, the Nuggets’ towering star has been nothing short of extraordinary. Jokic, who averages 30.0 points per game, has been a reliable scorer as well as a crucial player who has performed well under duress, scoring over 40 points in two games.
Jamal Murray’s positive message going into series-deciding Game 7 against the Thunder
A few hours before the important Game 6 matchup between the Nuggets and the Thunder, many Nuggets fans were left worried as they were just one loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs. However, their star Jamal Murray had other plans. Alongside Jokic, Murray stepped up despite battling illness.
HEADING TO GAME SEVEN pic.twitter.com/PkPvaPsONY
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 16, 2025
Not only that, he also had a positive message after securing Game 6 for his side at the Ball Arena. While going into the locker room, Jamal Murray said:
One step in the right direction, a lot of work to do.
The Canadian knows that the job is not done, especially against a side like the Thunder, who finished #1 seed this regular season. Game 7 will be tougher than ever, with Murray and Jokic having their work cut out for themselves.
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