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Drafted 21st overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Christian Braun quickly established himself as an important contributor to the Nuggets’ lineup during his rookie year, joining a squad brimming with experienced players focused on championship aspirations. Initially, Braun logged only 15.5 minutes per game as a bench player throughout his first season in the NBA. Because of his reduced role and relatively unremarkable stats in the box score, Braun’s significant contributions to Denver’s championship run were often overlooked.
His impact became especially clear during the team’s journey to the NBA Finals. Instead of shrinking in a more prominent setting, Braun increased his presence on the court, averaging 16.3 minutes per game across five Finals contests. He played a crucial part in a key Game 3 victory against the Heat in Miami, contributing 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting during 19 minutes off the bench while the series stood tied at 1-1.
With veteran guard Bruce Brown leaving Denver via free agency after the Nuggets’ 2023 title victory, new opportunities opened up for Braun in his second season. The Kansas product seized this chance, increasing his playing time to 20.2 minutes. Braun solidified his status as a vital role player for a team vying for a championship and demonstrated his capability to make a bigger impact.
The 2024 offseason presented another significant turning point for both the Nuggets and Braun, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope entered free agency. His move to Orlando created a gap in Denver’s starting lineup, placing Braun in an ideal position to step up.
The 23-year-old has embraced this latest opportunity, leaving no doubt that he has rightfully earned the role.
Currently averaging 33.3 minutes on the court, Braun has significantly increased his scoring performance compared to last season, netting 15.0 points per game. He has also displayed impressive efficiency, achieving a career-high shooting percentage of 57.8% from the field. His true shooting percentage of 66% ranks him second among guards who have played in more than nine games this season. Additionally, he excels in transition, contributing an average of 5.3 fast break points per game, which is surpassed only by Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Braun’s development has helped the Nuggets remain competitive in the Western Conference amid significant roster changes this offseason. Make sure to catch Braun and the Nuggets facing off against the Hornets tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
