Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • May 11, 2023
Posted in
Trailing 3-2 in the series, Phoenix will have to force a Game 7 down two key pieces of their starting rotation.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, may have to find a new primary ball handler as their starting point guard struggles with an illness.
Denver’s only injury issue for Game 6 is Jamal Murray, who is questionable to play with a non-COVID illness.
The seventh-year point guard has not missed a game since April 9 and is averaging 25.9 points, 6.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 10 postseason games this year.
The Pro Basketball Docs believe he will be available for Game 6, but may not play his usual minutes.
If he is unavailable or plays limited minutes, the Nuggets will likely turn to Bruce Brown to serve as the replacement guard with the offense running primarily through MVP-runner up Nikola Jokic.
Brown averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 28.5 minutes per game during the regular season.
Veteran Reggie Jackson is another option off the bench for Denver.
The Suns have multiple holes in the starting lineup with the absences of Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.
Paul (left groin strain) will miss his fourth straight game, while Ayton is missing his first contest of the series after suffering a rib cartilage contusion in Game 5.
Ayton could play through the injury if he and the team opt to give him a rib-block injection to numb the pain, according to the Pro Basketball Docs. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to play through the injury with the same effectiveness.
If both parties are reluctant to give him the numbing injection, it signals that he may also be unavailable for Game 7 if the Suns can force it.
With both out of the lineup, Phoenix will – once again – have to rely heavily on Devon Booker and Kevin Durant to provide a majority of the offensive production and ball handling.
Jock Landale will likely take over Ayton’s minutes.
The Suns are favored by 2 points at home in Game 6 and the over/under is 226, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Denver is +280 to win the NBA Finals, while Phoenix is +1300.
Sign up here for our FREE weekly newsletter and you'll get the best NFL, CFB, NBA and MLB injury insights from our Pro Sports Doctors plus Free Picks delivered straight to your inbox to give you an edge in betting and fantasy! Right now you'll also get one FREE month of SIC Picks - our best injury-based picks - valued at up to $200. Details sent instantly upon providing email.
Written by Jacob Sisneros
