Former KU guard Christian Braun provides update on his injury rehab with Nuggets
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Christian Braun believes he'll be 100% healed by the start of training camp.
- Braun averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 44 games in 2025-26.
- Braun enters the first season of a five-year, $125 million contract extension.
Christian Braun took a little break from strenuous offseason rehab on his left ankle last weekend to support young Denver Nuggets roster hopefuls during games in the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League.
He offered some good news to Denver media members, indicating he believes by the start of training camp he’ll be 100% healed from the torn ligaments he suffered in a game last Nov. 12. It was an injury that basically plagued him all last season.
“I’ve been back home rehabbing. I’m in Kansas. That’s where I love to be. I’ve been working on all the things — my all-around game, whatever it is, shooting,” Braun, a 6-foot-6, 25-year-old former University of Kansas and Blue Valley Northwest standout told Altitude TV.
He played in just 44 games in 2025-26 because of his injury. In addition to the ankle injury which had him in a boot three weeks and on crutches two more, he reportedly suffered a calf injury in the first game of a playoff series against Minnesota, which the Timberwolves won in six games.
“The biggest thing is the ankle and getting back healthy. I know I’ll do that,” Braun stated. “Everything else will get back to where it’s supposed to be.”
Braun, who helped KU claim the 2022 NCAA championship and won an NBA title his rookie year in the league (2022-23), averaged 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 2025-26, his fourth year with the Nuggets.
Braun averaged 8.3 points on 41.7% shooting in six games of a first-round playoff loss to Minnesota. He had just two points in Game 3 and three points in Game 6.
“Obviously I think the whole year was what it was. It was kind of my first time with a health struggle,” Braun said.
He now enters the first season of a five-year, $125 million contract extension determined to help the Nuggets get back on track after the quick playoff exit. The Nuggets, an impressive 54-28 during the 2025-26 regular season, nonetheless were plagued with injuries throughout the entire campaign.
In addition to Braun missing 38 games, Aaron Gordon missed 46, Peyton Watson 28, Cam Johnson 28 and Nikola Jokic 19.
“It (stunk). It’s not something I’ve dealt with,” Braun told the Denver Post, referring to missing games. He played in 76, 82 and 79 games his first three years in the league.
“It’s not something I’ve been through. The rehab process is not something I’ve been through. I’ve never been a part of the injured bunch. I’ve been a part on the other end, where you’re on the court trying to keep things afloat. But it’s tough. I don’t think any of the injuries were preventable things. It was just tough breaks.”
He says the Nuggets of last year handled adversity well.
“Sometimes it’s good to get punched in the mouth a little bit,” Braun told DNVR Sports. It’s good to have that little setback. I’m definitely motivated, definitely excited for the summer. This team is resilient. This team is really good. It’s a championship built roster. We’re excited for next year. We’re excited to compete.”
This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Former KU guard Christian Braun provides update on his injury rehab with Nuggets."
