CALIFORNIA – Golden State Warriors made its NBA playoffs return in style via a 123-107 rout of Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of their 2021-2022 Western Conference first round series on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Jordan Poole had a solid NBA postseason debut with 30 points, including five three-pointers. Klay Thompson contributed 19 markers as the Warriors took a 1-0 edge in the series.
Stephen Curry made his return from injury with 16 points. Andrew Wiggins also ended up with 16 markers, while Draymond Green ended up with 12 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three blocks for GSW.
Engaged in a tight game with the Nuggets until midway in the second quarter, the Warriors leaned on consecutive points by Poole, Thompson and Curry for a 58-47 halftime lead.
The Warriors continued its domination in the second half with Thompson and Poole connecting their shots as the lead reached its largest at 102-78 on a Poole triple.
Nikola Jokić finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block, while Will Barton and Monte Morris chipped in 24 and 10, respectively.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Timberwolves leaned on the exploits of Anthony Edwards as they stunned Memphis Grizzlies, 130-117, in Game 1 of their Western Conference first round series at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Edwards top-scored with 36 points, including four outside conversions, while Karl-Anthony Towns added double-double 29 points and 13 rebounds as the Timberwolves took a 1-0 series lead.
After seeing their early lead turned to an 89-all count, the Timberwolves ended the third quarter strong with consecutive points from Edwards, Towns and Malik Beasley for a 97-92 edge.
The Grizzlies kept the match close several times in the fourth period but timely three-point conversions from Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Beasley and Towns kept the Timberwolves ahead.
In another Western Conference series, Utah Jazz cruised to a 99-93 Game 1 win over Dallas Mavericks, while Philadelphia 76ers dominated Toronto Raptors, 131-111, in their Eastern Conference series opener.
BOX SCORE:
GOLDEN STATE 123 — Poole 30, Thompson 19, Curry 16, Wiggins 16, Green 12, Bjelica 8, Looney 6, Payton II 5, Porter Jr 4, Toscano-Anderson 3, Lee 2, Kuminga 1, Moody 1, Iguodala 0.
DENVER 107 — Jokić 25, Barton 24, Morris 10, Hyland 10, Gordon 8, Je. Green 7, Cousins 7, Rivers 5, Forbes 5, Ja. Green 3, Nnaji 3, Cancar 0.
Quarterscores: 26-27; 58-47; 90-70; 123-107./PN
