By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
The 2025/26 NBA Playoffs began on Saturday, April 18. The first two games resulted in home wins, with Denver struggling against Minnesota until the very end.
The Nuggets decided the game in the third quarter with a 17-29 score, including a 17-2 run that destroyed Minnesota’s defense. The Timberwolves reacted in the fourth (95-97), but Denver secured the thrilling win at home (105-116) to make it 1-0 for the Colorado team.
Nikola Jokic stepped up in the second half and recorded a triple-double. The three-time MVP scored 25 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and gave 11 assists. Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas didn’t score in five minutes. Jamal Murray added 30.
French center Rudy Gobert grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 17 points. Donte DiVincenzo scored 12.
With James Harden orchestrating the Cavs‘ offense (15 points and 6 assists in the first half) and Mobley attacking the rim, Cleveland went into halftime with a lead (54-61). Ingram led the way in Toronto with 13 points already before the break.
After a quick 22-36 run in the third quarter, Kenny Atkinson’s team grabbed the easy win at home (113-126) to secure a 1-0 record in the Playoffs opener. Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer with 32 points. Austrian Jakob Poeltl scored 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili recorded 3 points and 8 rebounds in Toronto’s defeat