The Denver Nuggets began their playoff campaign with an impressive 109-80 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. The top-seeded Nuggets were led by the returning Jamal Murray, who scored 24 points and dished out eight assists, marking his first playoff game since his impressive performance in the 2020 NBA bubble. Murray tore his ACL eight months ago, but he looked as sharp as ever, combining with Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. for a dominant display.
Jokic, the reigning MVP, recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in just 28 minutes, while Porter Jr. added 18 points. All five of Denver’s starters scored in double figures, and reserve Bruce Brown chipped in 14 points. In contrast, the Timberwolves struggled offensively, with Anthony Edwards leading the way with just 18 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns missing 10 of his first 12 shots to finish with only 11 points.
Jamal Murray Dominant in Game 1
The Nuggets had been dealing with injuries and surgeries to their “Big Three” over the last two postseasons. However, with Murray and Porter Jr. back in the lineup, Jokic was eager to see how they would perform together. Their performance was emphatic, with the trio combining for 55 points, 33 rebounds, and 16 assists, with only two turnovers. The Nuggets dominated on both ends of the court, holding the Timberwolves to their lowest point total since November 2016.
The Denver Nuggets sent a message to the rest of the NBA with their dominant victory over the Timberwolves. With Murray back in the lineup and the team’s Big Three healthy. The Nuggets will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
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