DENVER — The Denver Nuggets opened their first-round playoff series with a victory, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105 in an intense, physical, and tension-filled matchup. Jamal Murray, with 30 points, and Nikola Jokic, who recorded a triple-double, led the Western Conference champions' comeback and now hold a 1-0 series lead.
The opening was favorable to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who came out with more energy and managed to build a lead of up to 12 points in the early stages. Denver Nuggets took time to find offensive rhythm, especially from beyond the arc, while the visitors capitalized on their aggressiveness to establish control from the opening tip.
The game quickly set the tone for the series. There were constant physical plays, protests, and multiple actions reviewed by the officials. A total of 42 fouls were called, along with technical fouls for Jaden McDaniels, Denver head coach David Adelman, and later for Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon. Nikola Jokic even finished with a bloody nose in the midst of a night of maximum physical intensity.
After an uneven start, Denver Nuggets changed the script in the third quarter. With Murray taking charge and Jokic dominating every possession, the home team put together a dominant 17-2 run that opened a double-digit lead. Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, went scoreless for more than four minutes during that stretch, a drought that proved decisive.
Jamal Murray finished with 30 points, perfect from the free throw line at 16 of 16, though he struggled from three-point range and finished 0 of 8 from deep. Still, he was Denver Nuggets' primary executor in the crucial moments.
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As is often the case in NBA playoffs, Nikola Jokic made the difference. The Serbian star completed a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, controlling the pace of the game and responding when Minnesota closed the gap in the final quarter.
The Timberwolves cut it to 97-95 with 6:23 remaining, but Jokic strung together five crucial points to cool the visitors' comeback attempt. Shortly after came a symbolic play: Murray launched from half-court as the shot clock expired, the ball grazed the rim and allowed another possession that ended with a Gordon dunk for 108-101 with 1:50 left, essentially sealing the victory.
Aaron Gordon contributed 17 points despite foul trouble from the opening quarter. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards added 22 points and seven assists, playing through right knee discomfort, while Donte DiVincenzo punished from outside with four three-pointers.
Denver Nuggets extend their winning streak to 13 consecutive victories since their loss on March 18 and reinforce their championship credentials in these NBA playoffs. Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, must respond in Monday's Game 2 to avoid returning home with a concerning 0-2 deficit.