Anthony Edwards scored 43 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 106-99 in the opening game of the NBA Western Conference semifinal series.
Edwards made 17 of 29 shots from the floor, while making three of seven from three-point range and all six of his free throws.
The loss means the Nuggets are losing in a play-off series for the first time since losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round in 2022.
“My teammates trust me in every position at critical moments in the game. I try to help them,” said Edwards.
“It’s difficult here. The altitude, their team, the fans. I’m proud of my teammates. They came and fought hard.”
The game was tied at 84-84 before Minnesota went on an 18-7 run en route to victory.
Nikola Jokic was the Nuggets’ best scorer, with 32 points, but he was also pressured into a game-high seven turnovers.
The next game in the best-of-seven series will be on Monday in Denver.
“There’s a lot we can clean up and improve on and we’re going to have to do that,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“I didn’t play any defense in the third and you can’t just trade baskets with that team. There’s a lot we’ll look at in the film and try to clean up.”
