The Denver Nuggets are dealing with more than just the Clippers in this first-round series—they’re also battling something way less predictable: a nasty illness sweeping through the team. And no, it’s not just the guys on the court. Interim head coach David Adelman said it’s hit everyone from the front office staff to the players. “A lot of people were hit all the way through the front office all the way down,” he admitted.

Now, before you roll your eyes and chalk this up to a built-in excuse, Adelman made it clear—there’s no room for that. “We’ve got enough medical support to handle it. Hopefully, it doesn’t spread.” Still, it’s not ideal timing for a team looking to grab a 2-1 lead.

Jamal Murray? He’s already been down with it but suited up anyway in Game 2. Credit to him for pushing through, even if it was obvious he wasn’t 100%. But here’s the part that could really crank up the drama. During media availability, Adelman didn’t just talk about flu-like symptoms. He threw some serious shade at the Clippers—accusations and at Steve Ballmer that could light a fire under LA fans.

While complimenting the environment at Clippers Arena, Adelman slipped in a comment that’s raising eyebrows. “You know, they have the crowd at the end, towards our bench, that it’s like a high school crowd, which is actually really cool,” he said. But then came the punchline: “And the other thing is they pump sound in that place. That place is so loud—reminds me of Phoenix.”

The coach didn’t stop there. He recalled a past postseason experience that left a mark. “We lost here a couple years ago in the second round where you couldn’t even hear each other talk… at the timeouts with coaches,” Adelman noted. “That building is very loud whether the crowd is cheering or not, so we have to be prepared for that.”

While he wrapped it up on a positive note—“It is an amazing place, by the way, that I’d love to go see a concert there”—the implications were already out. Whether intentional or not, Adelman’s comments suggest the Nuggets believe artificial crowd noise could be part of LA’s home-court advantage. But as the noise builds at Intuit Dome, Denver’s concerns now shift from the speakers to the sidelines—because Michael Porter Jr. might not be ready for Game 3.

David Adelman does not clear Michael Porter Jr’s status for Game 3

Michael Porter Jr. showed up for a light workout on Wednesday, but don’t let that fool you—he’s not a lock for Game 3. Late in Game 2, he sprained his left shoulder on a turnover with 1:35 left in the fourth. That’s why he didn’t join Denver’s final push. He looked like he was about to check back in, but the pain held him back.

Coach David Adelman isn’t making promises. “Do I know if Mike’s going to play? No. But I do know if Mike can play, he will.” You can tell he respects Porter’s grit—dude’s played through more than people realize. And just to make things worse, the leg brace Porter’s relied on for years? Yeah, that snapped recently too. Timing couldn’t be worse.

Meanwhile, a wave of illness is still rolling through the Nuggets’ locker room and even hitting the front office. Jamal Murray? He got sick before Game 2 but still played 40+ minutes. Adelman said he showed up looking rough but got fluids, meds, whatever was needed, and powered through. That’s pure playoff toughness right there.

Adelman’s focused on keeping the team moving, literally. The pre-flight practice wasn’t intense—more of a mental check-in and Clippers film study.

With Game 3 tipping Thursday in L.A., Denver’s juggling banged-up stars, flu symptoms, and a raucous arena that Adelman says might be too loud. For the Nuggets, it’s not just about strategy—it’s about survival. They’re heading into the fire, and they’ll need every ounce of fight to make it out.