The Nuggets came out like they were on the fourth game of a six day road trip, lacking energy and turning the ball over. Zeke Nnaji finally opened the scoring for Denver with a three point jumper. The Hawks started off cold as well, going 2/8 to begin the game. About 3 minutes in, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. began trading baskets and the hoop seemed to get larger for both teams. Hawks took the first timeout with 6:58 left in the quarter; Nuggets led 12-9.
Out of the timeout, the pace began to quicken and both teams struggled to get stops.