Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets roars after dunking during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives into Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets forces a miss by Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles as Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets talks to him during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets battle Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves for a rebound during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets stands for the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets is introduced before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets run a two-man game as Naz Reid (11) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
A Denver Nuggets fan cheers during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets shake hands during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to scoring during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets tracks a rebound as Tim Hardaway Jr. (10), Nikola Jokic (15) in addition to Donte DiVincenzo (0) of the Minnesota Timberwolves watch during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
A Denver Nuggets fan dressed as the Joker cheers during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after a foul call on Julius Randle (30) during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves works the sideline during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (32) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets calm down Nikola Jokic (15) after he had a spirited conversation with officials during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets\xe2\x80\x99 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets locks in during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets\xe2\x80\x99 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets drives into Julius Randle (30) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets fans cheer during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets draws a foul from Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves after grabbing an offensive board over him during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets passes over Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets\xe2\x80\x99 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reacts being fouled by Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Peyton Watson (8) of the Denver Nuggets smiles during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (32) of the Denver Nuggets scores as Julius Randle (30) and Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defend during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets handles as Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets passes to an open Nikola Jokic (15) as Ayo Dosunmu (13) and Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves defend during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets erupts after a missed possession call during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets defends Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves bats a rebound away from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets embraces Jamal Murray (27) as they talk during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets roars after dunking during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Denver Nuggets defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105, winning the first game of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena, Saturday, April 18, 2026.
