The Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA Champions, and they might have another title in store. They recently completed a gentleman's sweep on the Los Angeles Lakers, sending them home with a game-winning shot by Jamal Murray. One of the best Kansas basketball players in the NBA plays for Denver and has a shot at back-to-back rings.
Braun, Nuggets advance to second round of NBA Playoffs
After working his way into the rotation last season, Christian Braun appeared in all 82 games for HC Mike Malone. He averaged 20.2 minutes per contest plus 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 46.0% field goal shooting. He provides energy off the bench and is an above-average defender.
During the Lakers series, Braun appeared in all five games and averaged 13.1 minutes. He struggled shooting the ball, posting a 36.4% field goal percentage and failing to knock down a 3-pointer, but he did average 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and had one block across five games.
Last year, Braun became the 10th Jayhawk alum since the ABA merger to win an NBA Finals and the fourth KU player to win championships at the NCAA and NBA level. He also became the fifth player in history to win an NBA and NCAA title in back-to-back seasons, joining some elite company.
The Nuggets will go on to play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round, a team they defeated 4-1 in the first round of last year's playoffs. Minnesota took the third seed in the Western Conference after one of the most successful campaigns in franchise history. It is certainly not the same team Denver competed against one year ago.
Seven former Kansas basketball made the playoffs this season. Udoka Azubuike and the Phoenix Suns have already been eliminated, while last year's MVP Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. are on the cusp of elimination with the Philadelphia 76ers. Marcus Morris and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markieff Morris of the Dallas Mavericks are both tied 2-2. Finally, Svi Mykhailiuk and the Boston Celtics are up 3-1 in their series, and Braun is the first to advance to the next round.
The @nuggets advance to the Western Conference Semifinals!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/diP5AaFcUx
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2024