The Denver Nuggets kicked off their 2026 NBA postseason with authority, securing a hard-fought 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series on Saturday. Nikola Jokić delivered a triple-double (25 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists), while Jamal Murray exploded for 30 points, including a perfect 16-for-16 from the free-throw line. Aaron Gordon and the supporting cast helped Denver overcome an early deficit and pull away in the middle quarters.
Coming into the series as favorites, the Nuggets appeared poised to take control. Yet, as they prepare for Game 2 on Monday night at Ball Arena, a troubling historical pattern looms large—one that could place Denver in a precarious position before the series shifts to Minnesota.
According to Nuggets reporter Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, the Jokić-Murray-Gordon core has dominated Game 1s but struggled in Game 2s in recent postseasons. “The Nuggets are 8-1 in Game 1s dating back to 2023. They’re also 1-4 in their last five Game 2s, the only win requiring a 20-point second half comeback at home and a buzzer beater,” Durando posted on X.
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That lone Game 2 victory came in dramatic fashion during the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Since then, the Nuggets have not advanced past the second round, adding context to the 1-4 mark. Broader history shows more balance—Denver went 4-4 in Game 2s across the last three playoffs—but the recent trend after strong openers raises legitimate questions about maintaining momentum.
Adding to the concern is the injury report. The Nuggets announced that wing Peyton Watson will miss Game 2 with a right hamstring strain, marking his continued absence as he recovers from a reaggravated injury. Watson has been sidelined for significant stretches, and his perimeter defense and versatility are misses the team can ill afford against a dangerous Timberwolves squad.
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Despite the Game 1 win, Denver did not dominate Minnesota from start to finish. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards (who continues to manage a lingering knee issue but remains a high-upside threat), stayed competitive and showed they can challenge the Nuggets in a seven-game series. Edwards’ presence makes Minnesota a team capable of stealing games, especially if Denver suffers a letdown.
The stakes for Game 2 are clear: a 2-0 lead would give Denver significant breathing room and home-court control. A split would send the series to Minnesota with renewed energy for the Timberwolves, turning what looked like a favorable matchup into a grind.
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Off the court, the Nuggets have plenty to celebrate from their strong regular-season finish, which included a 12-game winning streak to close the year. Jokić earned his latest MVP finalist nod alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, capping a historic campaign in which he led the league in both rebounds and assists for the first time. Murray was named a finalist for Clutch Player of the Year after posting career-best numbers (25.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists on 48.3% shooting). Tim Hardaway Jr. earned a Sixth Man of the Year finalist spot, providing valuable bench scoring at 13.5 points per game on strong three-point shooting.
These accolades underscore another successful regular season, but as the Nuggets know all too well, playoff success hinges on execution in the moment. History suggests they have work to do to avoid a familiar Game 2 stumble.
Game 2 tips off Monday, April 20, at 8:30 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. With the series far from decided, Denver has the talent and home advantage to buck the trend—but they’ll need another strong outing from their stars and collective focus to turn a promising start into a commanding lead. The Timberwolves are far from finished, and one concerning historical footnote could quickly become a very real problem if the Nuggets aren’t careful.