Minnesota had things going in the first quarter, but couldn't hold on down the stretch and fell to 0-1 in the series versus Denver.
The Minnesota Timberwolves did everything right for one quarter. Then, when the second frame began, the Nuggets remembered who they were.
Minnesota built a 33-23 first-quarter lead, held Nikola Jokic to three points, forced six Denver turnovers, and had Ball Arena rattled. For about 12 minutes, this looked like the Wolves were about to set the tone for the whole series.
Then a 17-2 Denver run in the third quarter happened, and the Timberwolves walked out of the place with a 116-105 Game 1 loss and a lot to clean up before Monday. Jamal Murray scored 30 points without making a single three-pointer, going a perfect 16 for 16 from the free-throw line.
Jokic finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists despite a bloody nose and five turnovers. Minnesota kept it close enough, trimming the deficit to 97-95 with 6:23 left in the fourth, but couldn't get over the hump when it mattered most. "We've got to make smarter, more solid plays," Finch said. "We've got to be more composed."
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn ImagesMinnesota Kept Fighting
To the Wolves' credit, they didn't fold. Anthony Edwards, listed as questionable before tip with a sore right knee, played through it and scored 22 points while adding seven assists, enough to make him the franchise's all-time career postseason assists leader. Donte DiVincenzo knocked down four threes.
And Minnesota trimmed the Denver lead all the way to 97-95 with 6:23 remaining in the fourth. That's when Jokic took over. He rattled off a personal 5-0 run, including an and-1 layup over Gobert, to push the lead back to seven.
Murray then heaved a halfcourt shot with the shot clock winding down that grazed the rim and reset the clock, eventually leading to a Gordon dunk that made it 108-101 with 1:50 left. Ball game. Aaron Gordon had 17 points despite spending most of the first quarter on the bench with foul trouble.
Spencer Jones, a game-time decision after missing six straight games with a hamstring strain, gave Denver a boost off the bench with five straight points including a three-pointer when the Nuggets needed it most.
Physicality Changed the Game
This game had an edge to it from the jump. There were 42 fouls called total. Jaden McDaniels picked up a flagrant foul in the first quarter for not giving Murray enough landing space on a jumper, then added an unsportsmanlike technical in the fourth for pushing Jokic in the back.
Adelman got a technical of his own after Gordon was called for an offensive foul late in the first. Julius Randle and Gordon both picked up technical fouls down the stretch. It was that kind of game. Denver's won 13 straight dating back to March 18.
These two teams have played each other 29 times since the 2022-23 season and the Nuggets lead that stretch 15-14. Minnesota's got two days to regroup before Game 2 on Monday night. The series is still very much alive, but the Wolves know they left one on the table.