Russell

Westbrook

Westy enjoyed a productive season with Denver, logging just under 28 minutes per game across 75 appearances. Since leaving Oklahoma City, Westbrook has played for five teams in six seasons, and he’ll look to latch on with another squad this summer. Given his age, the veteran will likely look for a contender.

Westbrook was on the injury report for Game 7 against the Thunder with a hand injury, and he announced that the surgery will repair two breaks in his right hand. There’s no reason to think this will impact his status ahead of training camp, but it does help justify his struggles over the final five games of Denver’s series against Oklahoma City. Westbrook has a $3.5 million player option and could choose to run things back with the Nuggets for another season.

Westy and Murray were both listed as probable for Sunday’s pivotal matchup, so it’s no surprise that both will take the court. Expect both guards to handle their typical workloads.

According to Shams, Gordon will need several weeks to recover from the injury. He’s been looking for ways to play on Sunday, “but it is becoming physically improbable to do so.” Gordon hasn’t officially been ruled out, but there’s little chance he takes the court, which is a devastating blow for Denver. Gordon has averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 boards in the 2025 postseason, and his production will likely be picked up by a committee of Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson.

Westbrook is dealing with a hand sprain that at times seemed to impact his handle in Game 6. Nevertheless, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Nuggets in Game 7 against Oklahoma City on Sunday. It seems likely that Westbrook will be available and he could have added importance if Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is unable to suit up.

Gordon injured his left hamstring during Denver’s Game 6 victory on Thursday. While ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday evening that the forward’s status for Game 7 is in serious doubt, the Nuggets are hoping that Gordon will play. He’ll be evaluated once he arrives at the arena on Sunday, with the medical staff determining Gordon’s availability and, if cleared, how much he can play. Peyton Watson, Russell Westbrook and Julian Strawther will all have heightened importance if Gordon cannot play.

Gordon injured his hamstring during Thursday’s Game 6 victory, forcing a decisive Game 7 on Sunday. While Charania did not report the grade of the Nuggets’ forward’s strain, Gordon’s availability for Game 7 is in doubt. Multiple reserves will have added value if the Nuggets are forced to play without their starting power forward. Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther will all be asked to contribute even more than they have in this series.

They’ll have two days off before Game 7 on Sunday, so hopefully that will be enough time for Gordon to recover after he tweaked his left hamstring with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. It will likely take a significant injury to keep Gordon off the floor for a Game 7, but if that happens, Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther would all have to step up to help fill the void.

Murray is a late addition to the injury report with an illness ahead of Thursday’s Game 6. With the Nuggets facing elimination, it seems likely that Murray will play through the illness. If not the Nuggets would be forced to rely more heavily on Russell Westbrook and Payton Watson.

Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.