The 2026 NBA playoffs began Saturday, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals.
The and kicked things off for the Western Conference on Saturday. , who was a first-time All-Star this season, led all players with 30 points to help the Nuggets take a 1-0 lead. added 25 points of his own despite a slow first half. kept the Wolves in the game with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough.
The visit the for the day’s final game, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers have had to finish the season behind after losing and to injuries indefinitely. But the Rockets might also be without a star. It was announced Saturday that is out with a knee contusion.
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Game 1:
What we learned from Game 1:
Playoff launched early this year. In years past, Murray came up with big games or big shots when the Nuggets had fallen into a hole or needed some heroics. This year, Murray came out of the gate in peak form, propelling Denver with 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds on a remarkable 16-for-16 from the free throw line. Denver needed every one of those points as got into early foul trouble and started slow with just six points in the first half. Jokic got on track in the second half, finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his 22nd postseason triple-double, third most in NBA history behind Magic Johnson (30) and (28).
Denver broke open the game with a 14-0 run in the third quarter, during which Minnesota missed nine straight field goal attempts. was on the bench for the end of that run as Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch tried to get him some rest before the fourth quarter. Edwards is still managing pain in his right knee and will be doing so for as long as the season continues. He finished with a pedestrian-for-him 22 points in 37 minutes. — Ramona Shelburne
Game 2:
What to watch for Game 2:
These two teams have played more times than any two teams in the league the past three seasons. With the win in Game 1, the Nuggets now have a 15-14 advantage. That past is prologue to everything that happens in this series, and it is a fascinating chess match to behold.
Minnesota has to use its length and athleticism to do a better job of containing Murray on the perimeter — without fouling. His 16 free throws is a Denver postseason record (the entire Minnesota team shot 19 free throws), which is a reflection of his aggressiveness and the way the game was officiated. That dynamic has been a major point of contention throughout this rivalry, and it noticeably affects the results each game. It’ll be interesting to see whether that changes in Game 2, because the Timberwolves did well in virtually all the other facets of the game in which they usually thrive — finishing with 54 points in the paint. — Shelburne
