Getty
DENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 18: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets warms up prior to playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
On Saturday afternoon, the Denver Nuggets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Colorado for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Nuggets finished the regular season as the third seed with a 54-28 record.
Denver Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic On Verge Of NBA History
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on December 25, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
In Saturday’s game, Nikola Jokic will likely make NBA history, as he is just 22 points away from moving ahead of Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett (2,601) for 43rd on the all-time playoff scoring list.
In the playoffs, Jokic has career averages of 27.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 52.5% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range in 94 games.
Jokic And The Nuggets
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Ball Arena on October 24, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.
The Nuggets are once again among the elite teams in the NBA.
That said, they have been unable to return to the Western Conference finals since winning the 2023 title over the Miami Heat.
Jokic finished the 2026 regular season with averages of 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 56.9% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range in 65 games.
ESPN Insights wrote: “Nikola Jokic vs. Timberwolves in 4 games this season: 35.8 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 11.3 APG. He’s the only player to average 35/15/10 vs. a single opponent in a season in NBA history (min. 4 games). Anthony Edwards vs. Nuggets in 3 games this season: 30.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG. Ant averages 29.3 PPG in the playoffs vs. Denver.”
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2026 in New York City.
At home, the Nuggets have gone 28-13 in 41 games.
Following Saturday, they will host the Timberwolves for Game 2 on Tuesday (before heading to the Target Center for Games 3 and 4).
Garnett’s NBA Career
GettyFormer Minnesota Timberwolves player Kevin Garnett looks on prior to the start of the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on April 12, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.
He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar
More Heavy on Nuggets
Loading more stories