Christian Braun continues to rise to the occasion for the Nuggets

As the team advanced to the NBA Finals, Braun's rise became undeniable. Instead of being relegated to a smaller role on the biggest stage, he stepped up and earned more playing time, averaging 16.3 minutes in five NBA Finals matchups. In a crucial Game 3 win over the Heat in Miami, with the series tied 1-1, the rookie made a significant impact off the bench. In just 19 minutes of play, he scored an impressive 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting, solidifying his importance to the team's success.

Veteran guard Bruce Brown departed Denver in free agency following the Nuggets’ championship run in 2023, opening up greater opportunities for Braun in his sophomore campaign. The Kansas product seized this role, and his time on the floor rose to 20.2 minutes. Braun cemented himself as a key role player for a contending team, and proved he could have a greater impact.

The 2024 offseason brought forth another critical juncture for the Nuggets and Braun with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope entering free agency. His departure to Orlando left a hole in Denver’s starting lineup, and Braun was in a prime position to fill it.

The 23-year-old has taken his latest opportunity and left no doubt that he earned the role.

Now averaging 33.3 minutes, Braun has more than doubled his scoring output in comparison to last season, averaging 15.0 points.  He’s also doing it with efficiency, not just volume, shooting a career-best 57.8% from the floor. His 66% true-shooting percentage is also second among guards to appear in more than nine games this season. He’s a force in transition, scoring 5.3 fast break points per game, second only to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Braun’s growth has allowed the Nuggets to stay in contention in the West, despite key departures in the recent off season. Don’t miss Braun and the Nuggets in action tonight when they host the Hornets (9 p.m. ET,NBA League Pass).