The Denver Nuggets got off to what is becoming a signature, slow start, and to make matters worse, Aaron Gordon picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter and didn't see any time in the second quarter. But the Nuggets clawed back and came out tied to start the third quarter. That's when the Aaron Gordon impact began, and it was felt by the Nuggets, the Timberwolves, and Ball Arena.
Mr. Nugget, AG, came out in the third quarter rested, and when the Nuggets needed a boost to extend the lead, Gordon had a momentum-shifting dunk that about blew the roof off of Ball Arena, and then he hit a big three to help propel the lead to 12, and the Nuggets never looked back.
In fact, only three Nuggets scored in the third quarter. Gordon had 7 points, Jamal Murray had 10, and Nikola Jokic scored 12 in the 29-point frame. But what was more promising was the defense he spurred. The Nuggets only allowed 17 points in the third quarter. That was the difference in Game 1 of the 116-105 Nuggets win.
Gordon also came to the aid of Jokic, who was pushed in the back by Jaden McDaniels. Gordon gave the Timberwolves the eyes that Jokic had given the Thunder a few weeks ago. It was great to see that fire, and the impact of Gordon was felt by everyone inside Ball Arena.
Nikola Jokic had his first triple-double of the playoffs
One game, one triple-double for Nikola Jokic. Joker finished the game one victory with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He was 11-19 from the floor, but only 2-7 from three.
He had four early turnovers, and it looked like the early start time had the Nuggets sleepwalking through the first quarter. But Jokic only committed one more turnover the rest of the way after he and the Nuggets seemed to have woken up. Turnovers have been a problem for Jokic, and he'll need to cut them down going forward.
Jamal Murray led the game in scoring, hitting for 30, but 16 of which came from the free throw line. He hit all 16 attempts, and the Nuggets had a 33 to 19 discrepancy in free throws over the Timberwolves.
The supporting cast played great
It wasn't just Jokic, Murray, and Gordon. Gordon finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds, plus the key dunks that don't show up on the stat sheet. But the rest of the cast did their job in their role.
Cam Johnson and Christian Braun combined for 24 points. And Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Spencer Jones combined for 20 points off the bench. Only Jonas Valanciunas was kept to a zero.
Jones was making his return to the lineup, and the Nuggets are still waiting for Peyton Watson to return. Hopefully, he has a go at it in game two, but there's a rumor he could miss the whole series.
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