The Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Saturday afternoon for Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. This matchup is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 semifinals, where Minnesota beat Denver in a thrilling seven-game battle.
Denver enters the postseason as the #3 seed (54–28) and on a 12-game winning streak. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić leads the NBA in rebounding (12.9 RPG). The Nuggets are seeking to reclaim the title they won in 2023. Denver’s offense ranks first in the league (122.1 PPG), courtesy of its league-leading 39.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves arrive as the #6 seed (49–33) with Anthony Edwards rising as a top-three scorer (28.8 PPG). Minnesota’s defense, anchored by four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert, will be tested by Denver’s clinical interior game. With the off-season addition of Julius Randle, the Wolves have added significant interior scoring. However, their success in this series largely depends on Edwards’ knee health.
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets: Live Streaming And Game Info
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM ET (1:30 PM MT)
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
- TV Broadcast (National): Amazon Prime Video
- Live Streaming: NBA League Pass, Fubo (Free Trial available)
Where to watch Timberwolves vs. Nuggets For Free?
Fans can watch Timberwolves vs. Nuggets on NBA League Pass, Amazon Prime (an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial), or catch it for free here.
Where To Watch Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Across The Globe?
United States
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
- Channel: Amazon Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Canada
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
- Channel: TSN, NBA League Pass
United Kingdom
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 8:30 PM GMT
- Channel: TNT Sports, NBA League Pass
Australia
- Date/Time: April 19, 2026, 5:30 AM AEST
- Channel: ESPN, NBA League Pass
Germany
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: DAZN, NBA League Pass
France
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: beIN Sports, NBA League Pass
Spain
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: Movistar+, NBA League Pass
Italy
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: Sky Italia, NBA League Pass
India
- Date/Time: April 19, 2026, 1:00 AM IST
- Channel: Amazon Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Brazil
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 4:30 PM BRT
- Channel: ESPN, Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Mexico
- Date/Time: April 18, 2026, 1:30 PM CST
- Channel: ESPN, Star+, NBA League Pass
Japan
- Date/Time: April 19, 2026, 4:30 AM JST
- Channel: Rakuten TV, NBA League Pass
Philippines
- Date/Time: April 19, 2026, 3:30 AM PHT
- Channel: TV5, NBA TV Philippines, NBA League Pass
Singapore
- Date/Time: April 19, 2026, 3:30 AM SGT
- Channel: StarHub, Singtel, NBA League Pass
Projected Starting Lineups
Minnesota Timberwolves
- PG: Mike Conley
- SG: Anthony Edwards (if active) or Donte DiVincenzo
- SF: Jaden McDaniels
- PF: Julius Randle
- C: Rudy Gobert
Denver Nuggets
- PG: Jamal Murray
- SG: Christian Braun
- SF: Cameron Johnson
- PF: Aaron Gordon
- C: Nikola Jokić
Injury Report
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards (SG): QUESTIONABLE (Right knee injury maintenance; expected to play)
- Nine players total are currently listed on the preliminary postseason injury report for depth management.
Denver Nuggets
- Peyton Watson (SF): OUT (Hamstring)
- Jamal Murray (PG): PROBABLE (Shoulder soreness)
- Aaron Gordon (PF): PROBABLE (Hamstring management)
- Cameron Johnson (SF): PROBABLE (Injury management)
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG): QUESTIONABLE (Knee soreness)
Head to Head
The Denver Nuggets won the 2025–26 regular-season series 3–1, including a dominant 12-game win streak to end the year that saw them climb from the 6th seed to the 3rd. Historically, the Nuggets lead the all-time regular-season series 92–61, but the Timberwolves lead the all-time playoff series 9-8.
Prediction
While Minnesota has the defensive pieces to bother Denver, the Nuggets’ current momentum is undeniable. Denver’s league-best three-point shooting and Nikola Jokić’s ability to trouble the Wolves’ twin-tower look with his playmaking give the home team the edge. If Anthony Edwards is even slightly limited by his knee, the Nuggets’ bench depth, led by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Christian Braun, should prove too much.
Score Prediction: Nuggets 118 – Timberwolves 110
