Denver Nuggets: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Spurs

DENVER, CO - APRIL 13: Jamal Murray #27 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets high five during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2019 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In their first postseason appearance since 2013, the Denver Nuggets couldn’t come out victorious in a disheartening Game 1 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Denver Nuggets entered the 2019 NBA Playoffs a surprising No. 2 seed in the competitive Western Conference. Given their overall lack of experience in spite of their talent, the Nuggets’ ceiling was murky at best, and things weren’t made any easier with a matchup against the battle-tested San Antonio Spurs.

In Game 1 of their first-round matchup, that gap in poise and composure down the stretch was evident. The Nuggets had a chance to send the game into overtime before a last-second turnover by Jamal Murray sealed their fate as the Spurs stole homecourt advantage away from Denver with a thrilling 101-96 victory.

All five starters scored in double-figures for the Nuggets, led by Garry Harris’ 20 points on an efficient 7-of-12 from the field. Nikola Jokic managed only 10 points on nine shot attempts, but his 14 rebounds and 14 assists gave him a triple-double in his very first postseason outing, becoming just the fourth player in NBA history to do so.

Just as homecourt advantage can easily be taken away, Denver will eventually have the opportunity to earn it right back with a win in San Antonio. Until then, all the Nuggets can do is focus on what they did wrong in Game 1 in order to better serve them in Game 2, where their season may very well already be on the line.

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