In a standout performance, Anthony Edwards led the charge for the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring a playoff career-high and franchise postseason-record 43 points, while teammate Naz Reid contributed 16 points, with 14 of them coming in the decisive fourth quarter. Despite facing foul trouble, Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points to the scoreboard. The Timberwolves exhibited exceptional shooting accuracy, recording a remarkable 71.1% field goal percentage in the second half.
The Timberwolves’ cohesive teamwork was evident throughout the game, with Edwards demonstrating astute decision-making and precise shooting. “The whole team, we trust each other,” said Edwards, he notched his third career playoff game with 40 or more points.
Timberwolves’ head coach Chris Finch, who recently underwent knee surgery, observed the game from the bench alongside assistant coach Micah Nori. Despite Finch’s absence from active coaching duties, the team executed plays effectively under Nori’s guidance.
For the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic led the scoring with 32 points, complemented by Jamal Murray’s 17 points. However, the Nuggets struggled to contain the Timberwolves’ offensive prowess, allowing Minnesota to secure a crucial victory in Game 1.
The Timberwolves capitalized on their improved health compared to previous matchups, with every player available for the game. The Timberwolves’ victory was underscored by Edwards’ exceptional performance and reinforced by strong contributions from Reid and Towns. With Game 2 set for Monday night in Denver, both teams will be looking to make adjustments for the remainder of the series.
