The Denver Nuggets will begin their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday with Game 1 at Ball Arena, opening another postseason run built around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and a veteran core seeking a return to championship contention.
Denver enters the playoffs as the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed after finishing 54-28 in the regular season. Shortly before tipoff, the Nuggets confirmed their starting lineup: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. The decision keeps Denver’s primary group intact for a matchup against one of the conference’s deepest lower seeds.
The lineup announcement also comes with added focus on Jokic, who enters Game 1 just 22 points away from passing Kevin Garnett (2,601) for 43rd on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list. Jokic has already built one of the strongest postseason résumés of his era, and another milestone could arrive as Denver opens a critical series against Minnesota.
Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup Against Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver confirmed that Murray, Braun, Johnson, Gordon, and Jokic will start Saturday’s opener.
The group gives the Nuggets continuity heading into a demanding series. Murray returns as Denver’s lead guard and half-court creator, while Braun is expected to take on a major perimeter role at both ends of the floor.
Braun could draw significant defensive responsibilities against Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Edwards was listed on Minnesota’s injury report entering the game, but he is expected to play. Containing his scoring bursts will be central to Denver’s defensive plan.
Johnson adds spacing and wing depth, while Gordon remains one of the team’s most versatile frontcourt players. Gordon’s ability to defend multiple positions and finish around Jokic remains important to Denver’s overall structure.
At the center, Jokic anchors everything. The former MVP finished the regular season averaging 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 56.9% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range in 65 games.
His playoff production has been equally elite. In 94 career postseason games, Jokic has averaged 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 52.5% from the field and 38.8% from three.
For Denver, the starting five reflects trust in experience and chemistry rather than major postseason adjustments before the series begins.
Nikola Jokic Leads Denver Nuggets Into Key Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup
GettyDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
The Timberwolves present a difficult first-round challenge despite entering as the No. 6 seed.
Minnesota features size, physicality, and multiple scoring options, including Edwards, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert. That combination makes the matchup one of the most competitive first-round pairings in the Western Conference.
Jokic’s battle with Gobert will receive immediate attention. Minnesota has several bodies to throw at Jokic, but slowing him has been difficult this season. In four games against the Timberwolves, Jokic averaged more than 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Those numbers underline how central he remains to Denver’s postseason ceiling.
The Nuggets have stayed among the West’s top teams since winning the 2023 NBA title, but they have not returned to the conference finals since that championship run. This postseason offers another opportunity to reestablish themselves at the top of the conference.
Murray’s health and shot creation will be another major factor. When healthy, his partnership with Jokic gives Denver one of the league’s most proven two-man combinations in playoff basketball.
Saturday’s lineup decision suggests Denver is opening the series with its preferred structure and expecting its stars to set the tone early.
For the Nuggets, Game 1 is about protecting home court, taking an early series lead, and continuing the postseason run behind Jokic as he closes in on yet another place in NBA history.
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