Murray's Perfect Night and Jokic Triple-Double Lead Nuggets Past Timberwolves in Physical Game 1

The Denver Nuggets secured a 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, April 18, 2026, opening their first-round NBA playoff series. Jamal Murray delivered a dominant performance with 30 points and a perfect 16-for-16 record from the free-throw line, while Nikola Jokic anchored the win with a triple-double. The victory keeps Denver's current winning streak alive at 13 games.

The Details

The contest was defined by its physicality, featuring a total of 42 fouls and several technicals. Among the disciplinary actions were an unsportsmanlike technical on Jaden McDaniels for pushing Jokic in the back and a flagrant foul on McDaniels for failing to give Murray room to land on a jump shot. Despite the tension, Denver maintained control of the game's critical moments.

Jamal Murray was the offensive catalyst, scoring 30 points and adding seven assists and five rebounds. Though he struggled from beyond the arc, finishing 0-for-8 on three-pointers, his efficiency at the charity stripe provided a steady source of scoring. Nikola Jokic contributed 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, overcoming a bloody nose sustained during the bruising match.

Denver struggled early, trailing by as many as 12 points in the opening stages. However, the Nuggets shifted the momentum with a decisive 17-2 run in the third quarter, during which Minnesota went scoreless for more than four minutes. This surge allowed Denver to build a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish.

Aaron Gordon provided crucial support with 17 points despite early foul trouble. Gordon's impact peaked late in the game with a key dunk that extended Denver's lead to 108-101 with just 1:50 remaining.

Minnesota's efforts were led by Anthony Edwards, who scored 22 points and recorded seven assists while playing through a sore right knee. In the process, Edwards became the Timberwolves' franchise leader for career postseason assists. Donte DiVincenzo also contributed significantly, hitting four three-pointers. However, Minnesota struggled with efficiency, shooting only 32.4% from three-point range and attempting only 19 free throws compared to Denver's 33.

In the closing minutes, the Timberwolves managed to trim the lead to 97-95 with 6:23 left. Jokic responded with a five-point stretch to stave off the comeback, while a strategic halfcourt heave by Murray grazed the rim to reset the shot clock, eventually leading to Gordon's decisive dunk.

Context

This matchup is a high-stakes rematch between Northwest Division rivals who have faced each other in the 2024 and 2025 playoffs. Historically, the two teams are evenly matched, with the Nuggets holding a narrow 15-14 lead in regular-season and playoff encounters since the 2022-23 season. Both teams have successfully won playoff series against one another during this period.

Statistically, Denver enters this series with a strong historical advantage when their stars perform at this level. The Nuggets are 15-5 in the postseason when Murray scores 30 or more points and 14-7 when Jokic records a triple-double.

Across the league, Game 1 holds significant weight; teams that win the first game of a playoff series go on to win the series approximately 77.8% of the time.

What's Next

The series continues with Game 2 scheduled for Monday night in Denver. The Nuggets will look to leverage their home-court advantage and momentum to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

For the Timberwolves, the focus will be on composure and execution. Head coach Chris Finch noted that the team must make smarter, more solid plays to recover. The health of Anthony Edwards will remain a key storyline, as he continues to play through knee maintenance.

Nuggets coach David Adelman praised the 'grimy' nature of the opening game, suggesting that both teams' experience in physical matchups will be a defining characteristic of the series as it progresses.