Christian Braun Scores Career-High 31 Points as Nuggets Down Suns
The forward's sudden surge to 7-for-9 from three-point range marked a sharp turnaround from a season start where he had made just two deep shots in his first 17 attempts.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Christian Braun converted his first three-pointer of the season with 4:25 left in the Nuggets' victory over New Orleans, snapping a 2-for-17 drought that had defined his start to the 2026-27 campaign. That single shot triggered a cascade of success, leading to a career-high 31 points in Friday's 127-120 win against the Phoenix Suns.
Braun finished with a 7-for-9 shooting line from beyond the arc, matching teammate Jamal Murray in the process. The two became the first pair of Nuggets teammates to each make seven three-pointers in a single game. Their combined volume helped Denver secure the win after a competitive matchup.
The shift in Braun's performance coincided with persistent coaching from teammate Aaron Gordon. During the New Orleans game, Gordon repeatedly urged Braun to shoot when open, a tactic Braun initially resisted. Braun admitted to arguing with Gordon during the contest, preferring to pass the ball to more experienced scorers like Nikola Jokic and Murray when he had early-clock opportunities.
Nuggets head coach David Adelman noted the difference in Braun's demeanor during the Phoenix game. Adelman stated that Braun showed no pause in his shooting motion, displaying a level of confidence the coach had not observed in previous games. This mental shift allowed Braun to capitalize on defensive gaps left by opponents who continued to focus their attention on Jokic and Murray.
Braun's current season statistics show a 40% three-point percentage after five games, a stark contrast to his 11.8% mark before the New Orleans outing. He recorded a 6-for-6 stretch from deep in the first half of the Phoenix game and added his final three-pointer in the fourth quarter to extend Denver's lead.
Murray, who has long advocated for Braun to shoot with more aggression, praised the forward's ability to maintain his confidence through early misses. Murray explained that the team prefers Braun to take open shots rather than drive into packed defenses, noting that the squad is prepared to grab rebounds if those attempts do not fall.
Braun acknowledged that his hesitation stemmed from a desire to let his more skilled teammates create their own shots. He now views his open looks as a result of opponents choosing to double-team the primary stars. This season's early surge suggests Braun is overcoming the defensive reputation he built in previous years, where he shot 39.7% from deep in his third season and 30.1% in his fourth.
Source: The Denver Post
