Nuggets, Suddenly Healthy, Show Timberwolves and West They're a Tough Playoff Opponent

Denver overcomes early deficit to take Game 1 behind Jamal Murray's big night and balanced contributions from key players.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:09am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the energy and movement of the game.The Nuggets' balanced attack and defensive intensity overwhelm the Timberwolves in a hard-fought Game 1 victory.Denver Today

The Denver Nuggets, who battled through numerous injuries to key players during the regular season, showed their depth and resilience in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite an early deficit and foul trouble for Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets rallied behind Jamal Murray's 30-point performance and strong contributions from Nikola Jokić, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson to take a 1-0 series lead.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' ability to overcome adversity and win with a shorthanded roster during the regular season has prepared them for the playoffs. Now with most of their key players healthy, they have the experience and talent to be a formidable opponent in the loaded Western Conference bracket.

The details

The Nuggets fell behind 33-23 in the first quarter, but a 39-29 advantage in the second quarter tied the game at halftime. Jamal Murray led the comeback, scoring 17 first-half points and going 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. In the second half, Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon got going, with Jokić posting a triple-double and Gordon providing a spark off the bench. Christian Braun also played a key role, limiting Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting.

  • The Nuggets fell behind 33-23 in the first quarter.
  • Denver outscored Minnesota 39-29 in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime.
  • The Nuggets went on a 14-0 run in the third quarter to take an 82-68 lead.

The players

Nikola Jokić

The three-time MVP finished with a triple-double of 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Jamal Murray

The first-time All-Star led the Nuggets with 30 points and 7 assists, going 16-for-16 from the free-throw line.

Aaron Gordon

The 6-foot-8 forward, who was a key contributor in the Nuggets' 2023 championship run, bounced back from early foul trouble to score 17 points and grab 8 rebounds.

Christian Braun

The second-year guard played a crucial defensive role, limiting Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting.

Cameron Johnson

The newly acquired forward helped keep the Nuggets afloat in the first half, scoring 10 of his 12 points before halftime.

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What they’re saying

“I'm always comfortable. It just matters who's in the game for defense and our rotations, guys in and out of different roles, guys trying to get their rhythm because they haven't played for a while. I don't think that has anything to do with me. I just go out there and play, and whoever's in the game is in the game. After that I just hoop. I try not to overthink.”

— Jamal Murray, Nuggets Guard

“When Aaron plays, we're a different team. It's just the bottom line. It's not the stats. It's the feel. We feel bigger because we are. His ball-handling, the way he brings the ball up against pressure.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach

“When you guard the best player on the other team and still get back in the fray and come up with defensive rebounds, that wins playoff games. It's not sexy. It's just the facts.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach

What’s next

The Nuggets and Timberwolves will play Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night in Denver.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' ability to win with a shorthanded roster during the regular season has prepared them for the playoffs. Now with most of their key players healthy, they have the experience and talent to be a formidable opponent in the loaded Western Conference bracket.