The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers are engaged in what's shaping up to be the best first-round series of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. There's an abundance of star power on either side, with each team led by a former Finals MVP and NBA champion.
Unfortunately for the Nuggets, a self-inflicted wound is causing it damage that simply can't be overcome unless another player steps up to stop the bleeding.
Denver and LA have split the first two games of a series that seems destined to go to a Game 7. Game 1 went to overtime, with Nikola Jokic leading the Nuggets to a 112-110 victory, and Game 2 saw Kawhi Leonard score 39 points in a 105-102 Clippers win.
During both of those games, Denver was confronted by the haunting reality that Michael Porter Jr. isn't quite the scorer that it paid him to be.
Porter is one of the most talented forwards in the NBA, boasting a rare combination of height, skill, and athleticism. Unfortunately, his 18.2 points per game in the 2024-25 regular season continue to far exceed his postseason production—and thus, his $35,859,950 salary.
If the Nuggets are going to offset the impact of those shortcomings, then they'll need Christian Braun to help heal the self-inflicted wound of Porter's contract and current struggles.
Christian Braun must step up to save Nuggets from 2-1 hole
Denver caught significant flack from critics after letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency. Caldwell-Pope was an essential contributor during their championship season in 2022-23 and provided two-way value that helped account for some of the concerns about Porter.
Braun has justified the Nuggets' decision to make him the priority, producing a career-year in the regular season—one that hasn't yet been reflected in his postseason play.
Braun finished the 2024-25 regular season averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 three-point field goals made on .580/.397/.827 shooting. Over the course of his final 41 appearances, he increased his production to 17.1 points per contest on absurd 59.9 percent shooting from the field.
Braun tallied 15 20-point games during that 41-game sample size, including 30 and 25-point outings in April—a far cry from the 16 total points he's scored in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Porter is effectively who he is, but Braun still has the room for improvement that gives Denver reason for optimism. If he can turn things around from his slow start to the series, the Nuggets should find the advantage they're searching for, even if Porter continues to underwhelm as a scorer.
Porter has made progress in other phases of the game, which seemingly opens the door for Braun to prove he can be the scorer Denver needs him to be.
It's also worth noting that Denver went 30-13 when Braun scored at least 15 points in 2024-25 and 18-18 when he played but failed to reach that threshold. That's a clear representation of not only how talented he is, but how important it is for him to play with confidence on offense.
If Braun gives Denver in the playoffs what he provided in the regular season, then Porter's contract and offensive inconsistency can be overcome during what's shaping up to be a classic series.