The first message that got through to Christian Braun came from DeAndre Jordan, who, until Sunday afternoon, sat alongside Denver’s versatile rookie on the bench.
“They just say, ‘Change the game, change the energy,’” Braun said of what he was told before being utilized in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 122-120 loss to Brooklyn, the Nuggets’ third consecutive defeat.
Braun, who played meaningful minutes for the first time since Feb. 25, finished with seven points, three rebounds, and an assist while playing 11:39 of the fourth quarter. Down 11 when the Nuggets entered the fourth quarter, head coach Michael Malone turned to Braun after Denver’s defense collapsed, allowing 37 points in the third. Those minutes, typically allotted for Michael Porter Jr., went to Braun instead.
“When you’re down like we were, you’re just looking for a spark, you’re looking for somebody to give you some life,” said Malone. “… I’m looking for guys that can guard, and Christian has shown all year long, any chance he’s been given to play, he’s gone out there and done that.”
Braun, whose effort nearly jump-started a 15-point comeback, explained his mindset when he’s been called upon in those situations. It’s not to score — the Nuggets have plenty of that. It’s to get a stop, a steal, an extra possession, a loose ball, or something to energize the unit. In this case, Braun had already provided a significant jolt to Denver’s comeback attempt when he swatted Spencer Dinwiddie’s shot with 45 seconds remaining in the game.
“It’s effort,” said Braun, who was a plus-9 in his minutes. “… Those guys don’t ask much from me, they just ask me to play hard.”
Braun’s guiding principle wasn’t complicated.
“Get him the ball,” Braun said, referring to Nikola Jokic. The two-time reigning MVP registered 35 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists.
First, Braun spaced the floor well, burying a 3-pointer from the wing after Jokic passed out of a Brooklyn double-team. Next, he sprinted the floor hard and was rewarded with a water-polo-style outlet pass from Jokic. Both buckets were smart, savvy plays executed by two like-minded players. Braun returned the favor when he fed Jokic on a back-cut for a floater through the lane.
“He actually played really good,” Jokic said, complimenting Braun not just on his energy, which is a constant, but on his impact.
In the postgame locker room, Jokic conveyed to Braun how much he appreciated his approach. Asked whether he was surprised at his maturity, Jokic gave the heartiest endorsement he’s ever offered of the rookie.
“I think he won a couple things,” Jokic said, referring to his national championship last season with Kansas in addition to three consecutive high school championships.
“I never win anything in my life,” Jokic deadpanned, even though he was speaking from a team perspective.
“He has a great mindset,” Jokic said.
Ever since before the trade deadline Denver’s second unit has been in flux. On Sunday, Malone opted to bench Thomas Bryant in lieu of Vlatko Cancar, who was returning from a wrist injury. Cancar’s return was underwhelming. Reggie Jackson continued to struggle in shepherding that unit, and Bruce Brown, despite his incessant energy, couldn’t find his rhythm from the field. That created an opening for Braun, who seized his chance and made a convincing argument that he deserved more playing time.
“Christian’s a pro,” Malone said. He deemed it a silver lining of an otherwise disappointing afternoon.
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