Let me pose a question to you, Denver Nuggets fans. If Christian Braun simply reverted to his 2024-25 form, would you be okay with the contract extension that he was given by the Nuggets? Sit on that thought for a moment. Okay, time's up. I think the answer from most would be a resounding "yes." Good news, Braun's looking great over the Nuggets' first five games, and he might actually be ready for a breakout season.
Everyone's been tough on Braun for his poor performance last season. Hand up, that was me, too. But Braun's performed his role at a high level to start the year, and against the Phoenix Suns in the Nuggets' 127-120 win, he was elite.
Braun scored a career-high 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field. But the most encouraging sign from Braun was the career-high 7 threes he drained. Braun showed no hesitation on his shot, and the confidence he gained with every make fed the next one. Braun had made 3 threes against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter of the prior game, and it carried over against the Suns. If he continues to drain his shots from beyond the arc, he can be an elite role player this season.
Braun is back to his 2024-25 form
Braun has every right to play with a chip on his shoulder after all the smack everyone's talked about him after his injury-fueled poor performance last season. And through five games, he's well on his way to proving that he's not only back to his 2024-25 form, but he's on his way to being even better.
After Braun's 31-point explosion against the Suns, he's now averaging 15.4 points, the same number he averaged in 2024-25. And after going 7-for-9 from three, he's shooting 40% on the season, basically the same as his 39.7% from 2024-25. And he's doing it on even more volume from downtown, averaging 6 three-point attempts per game. The work Braun put in this summer on his three-point shot could really pay off.
Braun was a step slow last year and couldn't push off his injured ankle, and everyone said he lost his "explosion." Well, he's got that quick move back in his bag, and he's been bursting down court for layups and dunks again. But that burst doesn't just apply to offense, of course.
Braun's defense has looked great
Braun's been great on the defensive end of the court, and through five games, he's averaging a blistering 2.4 steals per game after his 3 against the Suns. He's been hounding defenders on the perimeter, and he helped keep two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 17 points in the Nuggets' season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was the first time in 141 games that SGA had failed to score 20 or more points.
If Braun keeps knocking down threes, hitting mid-range jumpers, and being a plus defender, forcing turnovers and grabbing steals, he could be ready to break out for the Nuggets this year. And the Nuggets would be so much better off for it.
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