Jokić masters Game 1
- The Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116–105 to open their first‑round series 1–0. - Nikola Jokić posted a triple‑double: 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Jamal Murray led the game with 30 points. - Game highlights and analyst breakdowns emphasized Jokić’s tempo control and passing as the series’ defining factor ( ).
Denver opened its first-round series by beating Minnesota 116-105 on April 18, with Nikola Jokić steering the game from the middle of the floor. (apnews.com) Jokić finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 40 minutes, and Jamal Murray added a game-high 30 points for Denver. Murray got there despite missing all eight of his 3-point attempts by going 16 for 16 at the free-throw line. (espn.com) Minnesota led 33-23 after the first quarter, then Denver flipped the game with a 39-29 second period and a 29-17 third. The Nuggets and Timberwolves each made 40 or fewer field goals, but Denver separated itself by hitting 30 of 33 free throws. (espn.com) The matchup opened a 3-versus-6 Western Conference series between a Denver team that finished 54-28 and a Minnesota team that finished 49-33. Denver had also closed the regular season on a 12-game winning streak. (espn.com) Jokić’s control showed up less in speed than in choice. He took 19 shots, created 11 assists, and kept Denver’s offense organized even with five turnovers and a 10-for-36 night from 3-point range. (espn.com) Minnesota got 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from Anthony Edwards, plus 17 points and 10 rebounds from Rudy Gobert. Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels scored 16 points each, but the Timberwolves shot 14 for 19 on free throws while Denver went 30 for 33. (espn.com) Denver also got 17 points from Aaron Gordon, 12 from Cameron Johnson and 12 from Christian Braun. Bruce Brown added eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals off the bench in 21 minutes. (espn.com) The game was physical enough that The Associated Press described Denver’s win as coming after a “sluggish start” in a “physical opener,” and Denver still finished plus-4 on the glass, 47-43. That combination — absorbing contact, getting to the line and letting Jokić pick the next action — is the shape of the series after one game. (apnews.com, espn.com) Game 2 is scheduled for April 20 in Denver, with the Nuggets up 1-0 and Minnesota already chasing a split on the road. (sportingnews.com)
