Apr 18, 2026, 11:31 PM ET
The 2026 NBA playoffs began Saturday. Our insiders recap the opening Western Conference games.
Denver vs. Minnesota opener: Jamal Murray, a first-time All-Star this season, led all scorers with 30 points as the Nuggets beat the Timberwolves. Nikola Jokić added 25 points despite a slow first half. Anthony Edwards scored 22 for Minnesota, but it wasn’t enough.
Lakers vs. Rockets opener: The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98. Los Angeles entered the postseason without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (both sidelined by injuries) but benefited from Kevin Durant being a late scratch for Houston because of a right knee contusion; his Game 2 availability is uncertain.
(4) Lakers lead (5) Rockets, 1-0
Game 1 biggest takeaway:
Los Angeles was dealt a difficult hand losing Dončić and Reaves, but the Rockets’ late Durant scratch opened a path the Lakers seized. After a messy four-minute stretch late in the second quarter when L.A. turned the ball over five times and saw its lead cut from eight to two, the Lakers executed a strong offensive night.
LeBron James finished with 19 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds, including eight assists in the first quarter — the most assists he’s ever had in a single playoff quarter, according to ESPN Research. Ball movement paid off: all five starters scored in double figures. Luke Kennard produced a career-playoff-high 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Deandre Ayton had 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Rui Hachimura added 14 on 6-of-10. The Lakers say they’ve rediscovered belief without their backcourt, a confidence that should carry into Game 2.
Game 2: Rockets at Lakers — Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
What to watch:
Durant’s status is the overriding question. Without him, Houston’s offense looked rudderless in Game 1, shooting 37.6%. Several Rockets struggled from the floor: Alperen Şengün missed 13 of 19 shots, Reed Sheppard was 6-for-20, Amen Thompson 7-for-18 and Jabari Smith Jr. 5-for-14. The Lakers had time late in the regular season and the play-in to adjust to life without Dončić and Reaves; the Rockets had to improvise after Durant’s injury. How Durant recovers over 48 hours, or how Houston schemes if he’s out, could determine the series.
(3) Nuggets lead (6) Timberwolves, 1-0
Game 1: Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105
What we learned:
Jamal Murray arrived ready to set the tone. Murray scored 30 with seven assists and five rebounds and was perfect from the free-throw line (16-for-16). Aaron Gordon went into early foul trouble and Jokić started slow with six first-half points but rallied 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 and LeBron James.
Denver opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run while Minnesota missed nine straight field-goal attempts. Anthony Edwards, managing right knee pain, sat during the end of that run as coach Chris Finch tried to preserve him for the fourth quarter; he finished with 22 points in 37 minutes. The physical ebb and flow, and officiating around fouls and free throws, were decisive — Murray’s 16 free throws set a Denver postseason record; the entire Minnesota team had 19 free-throw attempts.
Game 2: Timberwolves at Nuggets — Monday, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
What to watch:
These teams have met more than any other pairing over the past three seasons, and the rivalry’s chess match tone continues. With the Game 1 win, the Nuggets now hold a slight recent edge in the matchup. Minnesota must use its length and athleticism to contain Murray on the perimeter without fouling; how that balance is officiated and executed will strongly influence outcomes. The Timberwolves performed well in other areas (they scored 54 points in the paint in Game 1), but limiting Murray’s free-throw and perimeter aggression will be critical in Game 2.
