Murray’s Perfect Night at the Line Powers Nuggets Past Timberwolves in Game 1
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DENVER, April 18, 2026 — Jamal Murray converted all 16 of his free-throw attempts, setting a Denver franchise playoff record and steering the Nuggets to a 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.
The guard finished with a game-high 30 points. His flawless performance at the stripe proved decisive on a night when Denver hit just 1-for-17 from three-point range after halftime and nearly let a 15-point third-quarter cushion slip away.
“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them,” Murray said. “Real fouls.” Denver went 30-for-33 at the line overall.
The win gives the third-seeded Nuggets a 1-0 edge and marks the eighth time in nine series since 2023 that they have taken the opener. They are 15-14 against Minnesota in regular-season and postseason play over that span.
Murray carried the offense while Aaron Gordon sat with three early fouls and Nikola Jokić attempted just four first-half shots. Despite missing all eight of his three-point tries, Murray became only the fifth player in playoff history to shoot at least five threes without a make and at least 10 free throws without a miss, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“He was 0-for-8 from three—that’s not happening often,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “But he stayed tough against elite defenders like Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards and made timely shots.”
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted the disparity at the stripe: “Sixteen free throws is a lot. It’s almost as many as we shot all game.” Minnesota finished 14-for-19, with Edwards taking seven attempts. Finch also lamented late-game fouls that undercut a comeback bid when the Wolves trailed by seven with roughly three minutes remaining.
Edwards, returning from a knee issue, scored 22 points but appeared fatigued in the third quarter. “It wasn’t the Ant we’re used to seeing, but it was expected as he finds his rhythm,” Finch said.
The series resumes Monday night in Denver.
Source: ESPN
