Murray's 16-for-16 night at line lifts Nuggets in Game 1 win

Key Points:

• Jamal Murray set a Denver Nuggets franchise record by making all 16 of his free throw attempts in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing with a game-high 30 points in a 116-105 victory.
• The Nuggets' strong free throw shooting was crucial as they struggled from beyond the arc in the second half, shooting just 1-for-17 on 3-pointers but still maintaining a 15-point lead.
• Murray, despite missing all eight of his 3-point attempts, demonstrated resilience and leadership, carrying the team especially when key players Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon were limited due to fouls and injuries.
• Timberwolves coach Chris Finch criticized the high number of free throws awarded to Murray but acknowledged other factors contributing to Minnesota's loss, including a lack of composure in critical moments and star player Anthony Edwards showing signs of fatigue while recovering from a knee injury.
• The Nuggets have historically performed well after winning Game 1, holding a 6-1 record in previous series where they took the opener, and the rivalry with Minnesota remains highly competitive with a near-even 15-14 record since 2023.