By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the Denver Nuggets‘ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, Nikola Jokic reflected on the high-intensity nature of the matchup at Ball Arena.
The 31-year-old Serbian center, who recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in 40 minutes of play, noted that the contest lived up to its billing. “It was physical, ups-and-downs, runs. So, I think it definitely met the expectations,” he said, opening his postgame press conference.
Comparing the current series to their 2024 Western Conference Semifinals clash, Jokic acknowledged the evolution of both rosters. “Different players who can change the whole rotation, the whole momentum of the team. So, I don’t think it’s the same teams. But I still think it’s always going to be an interesting game,” he added.
The opposite starting center, Rudy Gobert, faced the familiar, daunting task of slowing down the Joker. The 33-year-old Frenchman, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, embraced the difficulty of the assignment. “Just try to make him work, try to bother him as much as I can, and be aggressive on the other end. He’s probably one of the best offensive players in the history of the game, so it’s always a fun challenge for me,” he explained.
Gobert expressed a sense of gratitude for the stage. “As a kid, I dreamed of being in this position, to be facing the best players in the world, so I just try to embrace the opportunity,” he stated. “As a competitor, we have one goal, it’s to win a championship. So, you just prepare as much as you can, and once you’re on the battlefield, it’s just about being present.”
Regarding the loss, he pointed to lapses in focus rather than a lack of effort. “I think just mental mistakes. I feel like we played with the right mindset tonight, and we just got to sustain adversity a little better,” he remarked.
Game 1 was also defined by a significant discrepancy at the free-throw line. Jamal Murray finished with 30 points, fueled by 16 made free throws, nearly matching the 19 total attempts taken by the entire Wolves squad. Minnesota head coach Chris Finch voiced his frustration with the officiating, noting, “Well, the 16 free throws from Murray were a head scratcher. I thought we played really good defense on him.”
Murray remained steadfast in his assessment of the physical play, countering, “I thought I got fouled on every single one of them. I don’t know what everybody’s talking about. Real fouls.”
Also, Jokic supported his teammate’s aggressive approach, adding, “I think Jamal is amazing, one of the best free-throw shooters in the game, in my opinion. When he’s aggressive, going to the rim, and with the multiple guys guarding him, somebody is going to make a mistake, and the ball is in his hands a lot. I think we are all confident that he can make those.”
The victory adds another chapter to an intense modern rivalry that has seen these two franchises meet in the postseason three times over the last four years. The series remains in Denver for Game 2 on Monday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 1-0 (126-113)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 1-0 (113-102)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-0 (126-115)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions
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