Jamal Murray entered the Western Conference Finals dealing with an illness.
It wasn't clear at first what Murray's illness was, but the Nuggets guard has since revealed that he played in Game 1 against the Lakers with a painful ear infection.
Murray has been Denver's second-leading scorer in the 2023 NBA Playoffs with 26.3 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent from 3-point range. He also trails only Nikola Jokic on the team with 6.3 assists per game.
Could Murray miss time with the illness? Here's the latest on the infection he's dealing with and his status for Game 2.
MORE: Rui Hachimura's defense on Nikola Jokic could be game changer for Lakers
Jamal Murray injury update
Murray was a late addition to Denver's injury report ahead of Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals due to a non-COVID illness. Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports mentioned at the time that a number of people on the Nuggets had been feeling "under the weather lately" because of a bug of sorts running through the team.
Murray has since revealed that he's been dealing with an ear infection.
"I mean, manageable," Murray said when asked how he was feeling after Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. "Yeah, I got an ear infection on Saturday. You know how ear infections are; they hurt a lot. Just kind of wait it out. Couldn't really do much, like you said, on Saturday and Sunday."
Murray didn't miss a game with the illness. He was listed as questionable in both Game 6 against the Suns and Game 1 against the Lakers, but he ended up playing.
Murray helped the Nuggets defeat the Suns in Game 6 to advance to the Western Conference Finals with 26 points. He followed it up with a 31-point performance in Game 1 against the Lakers.
Jamal Murray shines in the @nuggets Game 1 win!
— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2023
31 PTS, 5 AST, 4 3PM
WCF Game 2: Thursday | 8:30 PM ET | ESPN pic.twitter.com/C0tJVx9wCG
Murray is no longer listed on Denver's injury report as of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
How ear infection could impact Jamal Murray
According to Healthline, an ear infection can cause pain and discomfort, a persistent feeling of pressure, pus-like drainage and hearing loss. Altitude changes and changes in temperature are among the factors listed that could increase the risk of developing an ear infection. That's notable considering the altitude and temperature difference between Denver and Los Angeles.
Lakers vs. Nuggets schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the 2023 Western Conference Finals series between Los Angeles and Denver:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| May 16 | Nuggets 132, Lakers 126 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 18 | Game 2 at Nuggets | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 20 | Game 3 at Lakers | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| May 22 | Game 4 at Lakers | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 24 | Game 5 at Nuggets* | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 26 | Game 6 at Lakers* | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| May 28 | Game 7 at Nuggets* | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
*If necessary
