Welcome to the big show, Christian Braun.
The Nuggets rookie guard turned in a stellar performance Wednesday in Denver’s Game 3 win over the Miami Heat, recording 15 points in the 109-94 victory.
Braun, the 21st overall pick out of Kansas in last year’s NBA draft, went seven for eight in shooting off the bench and recorded four rebounds and one assist.
“He’s a winner and he won us the game,” Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic said of Braun after the game.
“With energy, with the focus, the mindset. Even when he makes a mistake, it’s an aggressive mistake.”
Jokic recorded 32 points on Wednesday while teammate Jamal Murray added 34 of his own.
Braun, who averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds this season, had one of the best games of his young career on the NBA’s biggest stage.
“Tonight, man, I could just feel the confidence kind of oozing out of him,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
“The physical, aggressive drives, making plays for guys against their zone. It was really fun to watch a young man step up like the way Christian did tonight.”
The Nuggets now lead the series 2-1.
Should the Nuggets take the best-of-seven series, Braun would join an exclusive list of players that have won an NBA title and an NCAA championship in back-to-back seasons.
Bill Russell and Magic Johnson are among the four players to accomplish this.
Performing under pressure is nothing new for Braun.
The former Jayhawks star put up 12 points and 12 rebounds in Kansas’ NCAA championship win over North Carolina in 2022.
With Game 4 against Miami on deck, Braun will continue to embrace his developing role with the Nuggets.
“The guys trusted me all year, so when I get in the game, I just try to defend and do the little things,” Braun said.
“My job is not very hard — I’ve just got to come in, play with energy. And they find me in the right spots on offense and the defense [I just give] effort.”
The Nuggets and Heat tip off Friday at 8:30 p.m. in Miami.
