Nuggets' Christian Braun: Another impactful performance
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Braun provided seven points (2-4 FG, 3-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes during Monday's 94-89 win over the Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Braun provided timely, impactful performances on a few occasions during Denver's postseason run, but he was never overly prolific as a reserve. Across 19 playoff appearances, he averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game. Despite the lack of production, the rookie is certainly coveted by Denver and figures to see an expanded role in Year 2 and beyond.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Steps up in Game 3 win
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Braun finished with 15 points (7-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 19 minutes Wednesday in the Nuggets' 109-94 win over the Heat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Nikola Jokic (32 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists) and Jamal Murray (34 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds) did the heavy lifting for Denver on Wednesday, but Braun's contributions off the bench were essential while starters Michael Porter, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined to go 7-for-21 from the field. Braun's own shooting performance looks like a major outlier -- he converted at a 49.5 percent clip from the field during the regular season -- but he may have earned himself a longer leash in head coach Michael Malone's rotation heading into Friday's Game 4 in any case.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Posts quiet stat line in Game 1 win
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Braun posted one point (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and four steals in 14 minutes during Saturday's 125-107 win over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
These are not garbage-time numbers. Despite Braun's inability to contribute offensively, his ballhawking and energy generated numerous turnovers throughout the game for Denver. The rookie has averaged 12.8 minutes per contest thus far in the playoffs.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Not starting Game 1
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Braun isn't starting Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against Minnesota on Sunday, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Braun started three of the Nuggets' final six regular-season games this year but will be on the bench for the start of the playoffs since the team's regular starters are all available. He's averaged 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game off the bench this year.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Starting Sunday
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Braun will move into the first unit for Sunday's game versus Sacramento.
The Nuggets are resting their entire starting lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale, so Braun will get the spot start and be joined by Bruce Brown, Peyton Watson, Vlatko Cancar and DeAndre Jordan. In his previous five starts this season, Braun has averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.8 treys, 1.0 steals and 1.2 turnovers per contest on 56.8 percent shooting.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Coming off bench Saturday
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Braun will come off the bench for Saturday's game against the Jazz.
Braun will come off the bench with the Nuggets' usual starters all getting the nod. However, he should still see extended run, especially in the second half. Over the past five games, Braun has averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists in 24.8 minutes.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Another encouraging performance
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Braun totaled 15 points (6-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Suns.
Braun filled in as a starter Thursday, joining a host of second-stringers as the Nuggets sat their primary pieces. With Denver having secured top spot in the Western Conference, Braun could find himself on the 12-team radar once again Saturday. He possesses the ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, giving him increased appeal for those still alive in their fantasy leagues.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Starting Thursday
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Braun will be in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Suns, Mike Singer of The Denver Post reports.
Braun will be joined in the first unit by Reggie Jackson, Bruce Brown, Peyton Watson and DeAndre Jordan. Over four starts this season, Braun has registered averages of 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.8 triples and 0.8 steals per contest on 57.6 percent shooting.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Gets starting nod
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Braun will move into the starting lineup Friday against the Suns, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Reggie Jackson will start alongside Braun in the backcourt, with Jamal Murray resting and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out with an illness. Braun is typically a low-usage defender for the Nuggets, but he's coming off an 11-point outing versus the Pelicans, and there are a lot of shots up for grabs Friday night.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Gets cardio in Saturday
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Braun contributed zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) across 18 minutes during Saturday's 129-106 victory over the Bucks.
Braun missed both of his shot attempts and failed to make any other tallies in the box score across 18 minutes during Saturday's blowout win. This marks Braun's third straight scoreless outing, so barring numerous injuries, fantasy managers can safely leave the rookie on the wavier wire for the final weeks of the regular season.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Shines in 20-minute performance
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Braun registered nine points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one block and two steals over 20 minutes during Thursday's 119-100 victory over Detroit.
Braun continues to impress, logging 20 minutes for the first time in three weeks. His playing time is on the rise, coinciding with Reggie Jackson basically falling out of the rotation. There isn't enough here for Braun to be considered a pickup in standard formats, but those in deeper leagues should at least put him on the radar.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Plays four minutes in blowout
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Braun ended with zero points (0-1 FG) and one assist in four minutes during Wednesday's 117-96 loss to Chicago.
Braun has mostly fallen out of the rotation recently, totaling just 11 minutes over Denver's last five games. With Denver back to full strength, Reggie Jackson, Bruce Brown and Jeff Green have operated as the Nuggets' top reserves.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Available Sunday
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Braun (thumb) is available for Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Braun dealt with a left thumb contusion ahead of Sunday's matchup but will be able to suit up after being listed as probable. He's come off the bench in his last seven appearances and has averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game during that time.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Dealing with thumb issue
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Braun is probable for Sunday's matchup against the Clippers due to a left thumb contusion.
The issue shouldn't impact Braun's availability, but it may impact his effectiveness. He's played at least 20 minutes in six of Denver's last nine contests (one start) and has averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 23.6 minutes during that stretch.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Big minutes off bench
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Braun finished Saturday's 119-105 victory over the Hornets with 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and four steals over 27 minutes.
Braun helped a shorthanded Nuggets team to a win Saturday night with some impressive defensive numbers. The rookie guard set a new career high with four steals while matching his career high in rebounds. Both Jamal Murray (knee) and Aaron Gordon (hip) were out for this game, so the boost in minutes for Braun is likely temporary, but it should be noted that he's racked up 11 steals over his past six contests.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Moves back to bench
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Braun isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus Minnesota.
Braun will be replaced by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the starting five Tuesday. The rookie guard is averaging 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 13.6 minutes across 46 games coming off the bench this season.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Logs 19 points in spot start
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Braun logged 19 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block in 34 minutes during Sunday's 128-98 loss to Minnesota.
The 2022 first-round pick looked sharp in his third start of the season, and his 19 points marked the best effort of his rookie campaign by a wide margin. On most nights, Braun plays a complementary role off the bench, but with the Nuggets down four starters, he was able to log a season-high minutes load. Denver should get all of Jamal Murray (knee), Nikola Jokic (hamstring) and Aaron Gordon (ankle) back for Tuesday's rematch with Minnesota, so look for Braun's playing time to drop off dramatically.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Retreats to bench Saturday
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Braun will return to a bench role Saturday versus the 76ers.
Braun made a spot start -- just his second of the year -- in the second game of a back-to-back set Wednesday versus Milwaukee as most of the team's regular starters rested. Braun will move back to the bench with the normal crew back in action Saturday and should see his minutes scaled back.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Moves to starting lineup Wednesday
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Braun is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
The Nuggets are set to rest almost their entire regular starting lineup, and this will lead to more minutes for Braun, who will start in the backcourt alongside Bruce Brown. It will be the second start of the season for the former Kansas product.
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Nuggets' Christian Braun: Scores 10 in win
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Braun recorded 10 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 FT, 1-1 3PT), two rebounds, two assists and one block across 15 minutes in Friday's 134-111 victory over the Pacers.
It is just the third time Braun has recorded double-digit points this season. He has played sparingly recently, but he saw 15 minutes Friday, as the Nuggets were in cruise control for most of the game. It will take an injury to somebody ahead of him in the rotation to start seeing more consistent minutes.
