DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Nuggets began their journey toward a second championship by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, securing an early lead in what is one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. On Monday, the Nuggets have a chance to take control of the series with another home victory at Ball Arena, potentially extending their lead to 2-0.
How to Watch the Game
The game will be broadcast on TV after the first match was streamed exclusively. Here are the details:
- Time: 8:30 p.m. MDT
- Channel: NBC, Peacock
Game 2 between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves will take place at 8:30 p.m. MDT on Monday, April 20.
Tickets for the Game
This is the final opportunity to see the Nuggets play at Ball Arena before they travel to Minnesota for two games. Tickets are still available through platforms like:
- Ticketmaster – Starting at $79.50
- SeatGeek – Tickets starting at around $80
Key Things to Know for the Matchup
Jamal Murray’s Performance
Jamal Murray had an outstanding regular season during the 2025-26 NBA campaign, achieving some of his best stats with elite efficiency, hovering near the 50-40-90 club. However, in the first game against the Timberwolves, he struggled with his shooting percentages but still made a significant impact, finishing with 30 points.
Murray set a new Nuggets record by making all 16 of his free throws, the highest number of unmissed free throws by a Nuggets player in a playoff game. This surpassed the previous record of 14 set by Bryant Stith in 1994. He also contributed seven assists and five rebounds.
Nikola Jokić’s Triple-Double
In Game 1, Nikola Jokić delivered another efficient triple-double, a routine performance for the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 25 points, 11 assists, and 13 rebounds while shooting 11-19 from the field.
Rudy Gobert, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, made it challenging for Jokić to score, but Jokić’s unselfish play allowed his teammates to carry the scoring load. This created space for Jokić to take his shots, resulting in another triple-double. With this performance, Jokić now has 22 playoff triple-doubles, placing him third all-time, just six behind LeBron James (28) and eight behind Magic Johnson’s record of 30.
Timberwolves’ Struggles
The Timberwolves faced several challenges in Game 1. No player on the team posted a positive +/- rating, with Jaden McDaniels recording a team-low -17. Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, and Kyle Anderson each had a 0.0 rating.
Only three players shot 50% or higher: Rudy Gobert (88.9%), Ayo Dosunmu (50%), and Mike Conley (100%). However, Conley only took one shot in about 11 minutes of play. The Nuggets, who haven’t been strong defensively this season, should be prepared for the Timberwolves to find their rhythm soon. Anthony Edwards, who has been dealing with a knee issue, has been cleared to play despite his struggles.
