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Jamal Murray Leads Nuggets To Game 1 Win Over Timberwolves

Murray Explodes For 34 Points in Playoff Debut

Jamal Murray has been waiting for this moment his entire life. The Denver Nuggets guard made his NBA playoff debut on Saturday night, and he did not disappoint. Murray led the Nuggets to a 107-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. Murray finished the game with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. He shot 12-of-21 from the field and 5-of-10 from three-point range. Murray's performance was especially impressive considering that he was playing against one of the best defenses in the NBA. The Timberwolves have been ranked in the top 10 in defensive efficiency all season long.

Murray's Supporting Cast Chips In

Murray wasn't the only Nugget to have a big game on Saturday night. Nikola Jokic finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Gary Harris added 14 points, and Paul Millsap chipped in with 12 points.

Towns and Butler Lead Wolves

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Jimmy Butler added 21 points, but he struggled from the field, shooting just 7-of-20. The Timberwolves shot just 40.4% from the field as a team.

Nuggets Take Control Early

The Nuggets took control of the game early in the first quarter. They jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first five minutes of the game and never looked back. The Timberwolves were able to cut the lead to five points in the second quarter, but the Nuggets responded with a run to take a 10-point lead at halftime.

Timberwolves Make A Run In The Third Quarter

The Timberwolves made a run in the third quarter, cutting the lead to just three points. But the Nuggets were able to weather the storm and take a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Nuggets Close It Out In The Fourth Quarter

The Nuggets closed out the game in the fourth quarter. They outscored the Timberwolves 28-19 in the final period to secure the victory.

What's Next?

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Monday night in Denver. The Nuggets will be looking to take a 2-0 lead in the series, while the Timberwolves will be looking to even the series up at 1-1.