AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) and CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers stand for the national anthem before the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver Nuggets fan Zack Gaar wears a Joker mask and a Nikola Jokic (15) jersey before the first quarter of DenverÕs first-round playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers shake hands before the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets is cheered on by fans after participating in shoot around despite a season-ending ACL injury before the first quarter of DenverÕs first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMichael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets runs the break against Robert Covington (23) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone watches the action against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFacundo Campazzo (7) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Monte Morris (11) of the Denver Nuggets DÕs up on CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMichael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets drives as he is defended by Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Robert Covington (23) during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court with teammates before the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets throws a pass into the post over Robert Covington (23) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets dunks overDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and Facundo Campazzo (7) run back to play defense against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts watches the action against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers passes to CJ McCollum (3) against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of PortlandÕs 123-109 win at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFacundo Campazzo (7) of the Denver Nuggets and CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers tangle for a loose ball during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone speaks to Austin Rivers (25) during a third quarter timeout against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives on Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers size up before the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Monte Morris (11) of the Denver Nuggets slips as Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers makes a three pointer during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Jamal Murray (27) hypes up Markus Howard (00) after Howard scored on a fast break over Norman Powell (24) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives on Facundo Campazzo (7) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers bumps Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets off balance during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers souls JaMychal Green (0) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives on Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of PortlandÕs 123-109 win at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers lies on the floor after being fouled by Austin Rivers (25) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of PortlandÕs 123-109 win at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets looks for a foul call after converting for two over Jusuf Nurkic (27) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court with teammates before the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets scores over Robert Covington (23) and Enes Kanter (11) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers strips Monte Morris (11) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - MAY 22: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets walks to the locker room at the conclusion of the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets and teammates walk off the court after the fourth quarter of the Portland Trail BlazersÕ 123-109 win at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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Damian Lillard (0) and CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers stand for the national anthem before the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
ExpandBy AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets hosted the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round series of the NBA playoffs on May 22, 2021 at Ball Arena in Denver. The Blazers won 129-109 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.




































