Edwards powers Timberwolves to Game 1 win in Denver

DENVER — Anthony Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points, Naz Reid had 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1 of the second-round series Saturday night.

Edwards was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 25 points, and Reid took over in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points despite dealing with foul trouble.

Game 2 is Monday night in Denver.

Three days after undergoing knee surgery, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was on the bench in the second row, next to the scorer's table and behind assistant Micah Nori, who did the instructing, roaming and switching.

Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, but also had seven turnovers.

Jamal Murray scored 17 points after being held scoreless in the first half.

Tied at 84, the Timberwolves went on an 18-7 run to break it open. Reid had 10 straight points for the Timberwolves at one point during the pivotal stretch.

Last year, the Wolves were a tough first-round opponent for Denver despite being without Reid (broken wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (broken hand) and with Karl-Anthony Towns coming off a severe calf strain that had cost him 52 games. This time, not a single Timberwolves player was listed on the injury report.

Edwards added seven rebounds and two blocks to his scoring barrage.

Aside from being healthier, the Timberwolves were much better thanks to the dramatic improvement in Edwards' game, Denver coach Michael Malone suggested.

“There's no weaknesses in his game,” Malone said. “And it's going to be a hell of a challenge trying to slow him down.”

Kleber out with shoulder injury

Dallas Mavericks center Maxi Kleber has a separated shoulder that will sideline him indefinitely and raises doubts about his status for the rest of the playoffs, a person with knowledge of the injury said Saturday.

Kleber injured the right shoulder in the first half of the Mavericks' clinching 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club hasn't disclosed details of the injury.

Dallas won the firstround series 4-2 and will face top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals starting Tuesday night.

Kleber was driving toward the basket in transition, running near full speed, when he fell hard on his right side after getting upended in a collision with L.A.'s Amir Coffey, who was called for a blocking foul.