Maybe it’s the former hockey player in me, but there’s something beautiful about watching a player get under an opponent’s skin. When Christian Braun fouled James Harden with just a few seconds before halftime of Saturday’s crucial Game 4 win, the Beard flipped his wig — and CB didn’t back down.
Harden took exception to the foul. Words were exchanged. It was, as they say, “on.”
The chaos that ensued — Jokic approaching, Harden pushing, swipes taken at Gordon, Zubac corralling AG, referees desperately trying to restore order — resulted in six technical fouls spread across both teams. But more importantly, it resulted in something the Nuggets desperately needed: a spark.
Down 2-1 in the series and on the road, the Nuggets capitalized on the moment and proceeded to obliterate the Clippers 35-17 in the third quarter. And I don’t think that was a coincidence.
Christian Braun is the Perfect Pest
Let’s be real: Every championship contender needs that guy. You know the one: the player who inspires visceral hatred from opposing fan bases while being absolutely beloved by his own. An irritant who makes you think, “I’d hate that dude if he wasn’t on my team.”
For the Nuggets, Christian Braun has emphatically claimed that role, one he seems to love.
In Monday’s post-practice media availability, Braun discussed the incident with reporters, capturing the mindset of a player who seemingly thrives in these heated moments:
"I think it’s fun. I think it makes the game more fun. That’s what playoff basketball is all about."Christian Braun
Even better, this isn’t Braun’s first rodeo when it comes to getting under opponents’ skin. His resume of irritation is growing more impressive by the year.
When he detonated on Rudy Gobert with a thunderous dunk in December, he didn’t just walk away. No, CB made sure the three-time Defensive Player of the Year heard about it. And Gobert reacted as one might after nearly being decapitated, grabbing Braun around the neck before pushing the young Kansan away. (Unfortunately, this incident sparked Minnesota to a come-from-behind victory in the final five minutes.)
Remember back to April 2023, when Kyle Anderson thought he could take a casual mid-range jumper after a whistle with the Nuggets up big? Braun had other ideas, getting his hand on the ball and causing Anderson to swing an elbow in frustration. The two teams had to be separated, with CB at the center of the action.
What makes Braun such an effective agitator? Whether his athleticism, his fearlessness, or the annoying smirk he flashes in these moments, I’m not sure, but I love it! Each interaction seemingly communicates that nothing’s about to come easy against the Nuggets.
The Championship Core Reawakens
To me, the most telling aspect of Saturday’s fracas wasn’t Braun’s involvement but how quickly his teammates rushed to his defense. When Jokic immediately stepped toward Harden, when Gordon raced around Zubac to get involved, the Nuggets were doing more than protecting their teammate from a bully, but protecting their championship mettle.
After nearly squandering a 22-point fourth-quarter lead (let’s not talk about old stuff), the message remains: This Nuggets team has one another’s backs. Could this pesky Christian Braun-propelled moment fuel the Nuggets through the rest of this series? The Paul Millsap-Marcus Morris tussle certainly helped ignite the 3-1 comeback in the bubble.
Championship teams don’t just win with talent. They oftentimes possess an edge. The 2023 champions played with an edge, but this year’s iteration has struggled searching for it. On Saturday afternoon, thanks in large part to Christian Braun’s instigating excellence, the Mile High crew might’ve found it again.
As the series shifts back to Denver tied 2-2, the Nuggets once again possess home-court advantage — and an identity as the aggressors, the team that won't back down in this series.