Comment on Thursday's Sports Briefs

Colorado’s first-round series began with a couple of clear advantages for the Avalanche and a couple for the Winnipeg Jets — at least on paper. The margins in this series ahead of Game 1 are much, much tighter. All six of these categories could say “even” at the end of them, and it wouldn’t entirely be a bit. Who has the edge? Forwards Colorado’s forwards were awesome against Winnipeg.

Which quarterback is going to start for the Broncos come Week 1? This week, a different question: Which quarterback will Sean Payton’s team be facing in Week 1? Could it be Russell Wilson? Patrick Mahomes? Justin Herbert or Aaron Rodgers? They’re all on the docket for Denver this fall and we should find out soon in what order Denver will face them. The past couple of years, the NFL has announced its full slate the second Thursday of May (this year, that’s May 9).

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is questionable for Game 2 against the Nuggets due to personal reasons, the team announced Monday morning. Gobert was not seen on the court during the portion of Minnesota’s pregame shootaround that was open to media. According to The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Gobert said earlier this season that he would miss a potential playoff game to be present for the birth of his child.

The Broncos and Ent Credit Union on Monday announced a multi-year partnership agreement, marking the first time in more than 20 years the franchise has made a major change in its banking sponsor. The Broncos had previously been partnered with U. S. Bank, but are making the move to Ent, the largest credit union in Colorado. The partnership continues a run over the past year in which the franchise has come to new major partnership agreements, including last spring’s training facility naming rights agreement with what is now CommonSpirit Health System. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ent to our team not only as the Broncos’ official banking partner but also as a Broncos Foundation Legacy Partner,” Broncos chief commercial officer Dennis Moore said in a release announcing the partnership with Ent.

Troy Renck: It was difficult to reconcile what unfolded on Saturday night. The Nuggets lost a home playoff game and the first game of a series — something that never happened during their title run a year ago. They continue to trail early while counting on sprinkling pixie dust late.

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