Nuggets Take Game 1 Over Timberwolves in Western Conference Playoffs

Jamal Murray's big night leads Denver to 1-0 series lead

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the dynamic action on the court.The Nuggets' playoff push begins with a hard-fought Game 1 victory over their Western Conference rivals, the Timberwolves.Denver Today

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105 in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. Jamal Murray led the way for Denver with 30 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Nikola Jokic added a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Anthony Edwards scored 22 points for Minnesota, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Nuggets' strong performance.

Why it matters

This series is a rematch of a hard-fought regular season rivalry, with the Nuggets now holding a 15-14 advantage over the Timberwolves in their recent matchups. The outcome of this first-round playoff series could set the tone for a potential long-term battle between these two Western Conference contenders.

The details

The Nuggets broke open the game with a 14-0 run in the third quarter, during which the Timberwolves missed nine straight field goal attempts. Jamal Murray was dominant, going a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line and propelling Denver with his scoring and playmaking. Nikola Jokic overcame a slow start to record his 22nd career postseason triple-double, the third-most in NBA history. Anthony Edwards played through knee pain for Minnesota, but his 22 points weren't enough to keep up with the Nuggets' balanced attack.

  • The 2026 NBA playoffs began on Saturday, April 18.
  • Game 1 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves took place on Saturday, April 18.

The players

Jamal Murray

A first-time NBA All-Star this season, Murray led the Nuggets with 30 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in Game 1.

Nikola Jokic

The reigning NBA MVP, Jokic recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, the 22nd postseason triple-double of his career.

Anthony Edwards

The Timberwolves' star player, Edwards scored 22 points while playing through knee pain.

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What they’re saying

“Playoff Jamal Murray launched early this year. In years past Murray came up with big games or big shots when the Nuggets had fallen into a hole or needed some heroics. This year, Murray came out of the gates in peak form, propelling Denver with 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds on a remarkable 16-for-16 from the free throw line.”

— Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Insider

What’s next

Game 2 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves will take place on Monday, April 20 at 10:30 p.m. ET in Denver.

The takeaway

This series opener highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, with Denver's star duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic leading the way in a hard-fought Game 1 victory. The Timberwolves will need to find a way to better contain Murray and limit his trips to the free throw line if they hope to even the series in Game 2.