By: Jennifer Portee
4/20/2026
The Denver Nuggets know exactly what playoff basketball is supposed to feel like: physical, resilient, and earned possession by possession. Saturday night was all of that and more, and when it was over, Denver walked away with a 116-105 Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray set the tone with 30 points, attacking relentlessly and living at the free-throw line where he went a perfect 16-for-16. Even without his three-point shot falling (0-for-8), Murray found ways to control the game when it mattered most.
Nikola Jokic, meanwhile, did what he always does everything. The reigning MVP delivered a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, battling through constant contact in a game that felt more like a street fight than a series opener. Jokic even left with a bloody nose at one point, a fitting symbol of just how physical this matchup got.
There were 42 fouls called, multiple technicals, and no shortage of tension. Jaden McDaniels was hit with an unsportsmanlike technical after shoving Jokic, while Nuggets head coach David Adelman and both Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon picked up techs of their own. This wasn’t just basketball it was a message from both sides.
Denver had to earn this one the hard way. After falling behind by as many as 12 early, the Nuggets flipped the game with a dominant 17-2 run in the third quarter. Minnesota went ice cold during that stretch, going scoreless for over four minutes as Denver seized control.
Still, the Timberwolves didn’t fold. They clawed back to within two late in the fourth, but Jokic responded with a personal five-point burst to steady things. Then came one of the wildest moments of the night Murray, with the shot clock winding down, launched a deep heave that barely grazed the rim to reset possession. Seconds later, Aaron Gordon threw down a dunk that pushed the lead to seven and effectively sealed it.
“Winning a grimy game, it’s good,” Adelman said postgame. “Both teams know what it means to play in a physical matchup.”
Gordon finished with 17 points despite battling foul trouble early, giving Denver key production when they needed it most. The win also marks the Nuggets’ 13th straight, a streak that speaks to their rhythm heading into the postseason.
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 22 points and seven assists while playing through a sore knee, even making franchise history as the Timberwolves’ all-time postseason assists leader. Donte DiVincenzo added four three-pointers, but Minnesota struggled with consistency and composure down the stretch.
“We’ve got to make smarter, more solid plays,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We’ve got to be more composed.”
If Game 1 proved anything, it’s that this series is going to be a battle. Since the 2022-23 season, these teams have been nearly even, with Denver holding a slight 15-14 edge across regular season and playoff matchups. They’ve traded wins, traded blows, and clearly don’t like each other much.
Game 2 is set for today night, and if the opener was any indication, expect another war.