Mile High Mayhem: Jokić and Murray Survive the "Grimy" Opener
Sanchez Sideline
Mile High Mayhem: Jokić and Murray Survive the "Grimy" Opener
DENVER — If the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted a fight, they got one. They just didn't expect the Denver Nuggets to bring the brass knuckles. In a game that featured 42 fouls, five technicals, a flagrant, and a bloody nose for a three-time MVP, the Nuggets shook off a slow start to pummel the Timberwolves 116-105 in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Nikola Jokić did what Nikola Jokić does: he turned a physical wrestling match into a masterclass. Despite Minnesota’s vocal pre-game plan to "fight" him every trip down the floor, the Joker notched a 25-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double. He is now just one triple-double away from tying Russell Westbrook for the most in combined NBA history.
The Charity Stripe Specialist
While Jokić was the anchor, Jamal Murray was the aggressor. In a stat line that looks like a typo, Murray finished with 30 points despite going 0-for-8 from three-point range. How? By treating the free-throw line like his personal ATM, going a perfect 16-of-16 from the stripe.
The turning point came via a 17-2 Denver explosion in the third quarter. Even when things looked desperate—like the shot clock winding down on a broken play—Murray heaved a prayer from halfcourt that grazed the rim, resetting the clock and leading to a back-breaking Aaron Gordon dunk.
“Winning a grimy game, it’s good,” said Nuggets coach David Adelman. “Both teams know what it means to play in a physical matchup.”
The "Smoke" That Wasn't
Minnesota talked a big game about physicality, but the most "physical" they got was a Jaden McDaniels shove to Jokić's back that earned him a technical and a very stern conversation with Aaron Gordon.
Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 22 points while hobbling on a sore right knee. While he became the franchise’s all-time postseason assist leader, his team looked "stagnant" and "uncomposed" according to coach Chris Finch. The Wolves hit more threes than Denver, but they couldn't handle the Nuggets' 13th consecutive victory.
Sanchez Sideline: Takeaway Table
Key Stat Denver Nuggets Minnesota Timberwolves
Top Scorer Jamal Murray (30) Anthony Edwards (22)
Free Throw King Jamal Murray (16/16) Team total (16/22)
The "Joker" Card 25-13-11 Triple-Double 0 answers for him
Shooting Survival Won despite 27.8% from 3 Lost despite 34.2% from 3
The Sanchez Slant: The Nuggets won an 11-point game while shooting significantly worse than their season average from deep. If Denver starts actually hitting their open shots in Game 2, the Timberwolves might want to look into early vacation rentals in Cancun.
Up Next: Game 2, Monday night in Denver. Expect more ice packs and even more attitude. 🏔️🏀
