Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and yes, Christian Braun could be keys for Nuggets
The play of three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who has recorded three double doubles in the first six games of the Denver Nuggets’ first-round Western Conference series against the Los Angeles Clippers, could very well determine the outcome of Saturday night’s Game 7 at Ball Arena in downtown Denver.
Or it could be the production of Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who scored 43 points in a 131-115 Game 5 victory Tuesday in Denver followed by less than half that total (21 points) in a series-tying 111-105 Game 6 loss Thursday in L.A.
Then again … whether the Nuggets win the 6:30 p.m., Central time tipoff (TNT network) and advance into the conference semifinals against Oklahoma City might all come down to former University of Kansas/Blue Valley Northwest High standout Christian Braun’s work on defense against potent Clippers guard James Harden.
Harden went for 28 points in Game 6 in L.A. after being held to 11 points (on 3-of-9 shooting) by Braun in Game 5 in front of the home fans in Denver.
“He got downhill early. I sent him to the free throw line once. It helps him get his rhythm. He hit a stepback on me once too. Those two plays are really big for him,” the 6-foot-6, 220-pound, 24-year-old Braun told reporters after Thursday’s loss, referring to the play of the 6-5, 220-pound, 35-year-old Harden.
“It’s hard when he has that rhythm. He’s dancing, stepping back and doing those things (scoring). That starts with physicality. That’s on me. We’ll be ready for Game Seven as far as physicality goes,” added Braun, who contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds on offense in Game Five and 14 points and three rebounds in Game Six.
Braun — he recently placed fourth in voting in the NBA’s most improved player category — emerged as a starter his third year in the NBA after being a backup his first two years in the league. The Nuggets won the NBA title his rookie year, a season that followed a national title campaign at KU in 2021-22. Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists during the 2024-25 regular season after averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists a game in 2023-24 — his second year in the league.
This marks his first Game Seven as a starter. A year ago he came off the bench in a Game 7 loss to Minnesota to cap a thrilling Western Conference semifinal series. Game 7 of the series against the Wolves also was in Denver.
“I’m just excited. I know it’s going to be a fun game. I know the fans are going to bring it. I know the guys are going to bring it. We’re going to be ready,” Braun said Thursday.
“Game 7 is really fun for us, especially at home. Coach even said tonight (after Game Six loss) the last three games of the year we worked for Game 7 to be at home. We’ve got to bring it, and I know we will.”
It’s been an intense series.
Braun and Harden were involved in a scuffle right before halftime in Game 4 in Los Angeles. Braun intentionally reached in to foul Harden as the Nuggets had a foul to give before halftime. An agitated Harden approached Braun. Jokic and Aaron Gordon entered the fray to protect their teammate. Braun and Harden were two of six players hit with technical fouls.
“I took a take foul at the end of the half. Something that we always do. I think he was just a little frustrated with how I took the foul,” Braun told the Denver Post.
“And that’s basketball. It’s good for the sport. It’s fun. It made the game more fun. I think they rallied behind it. I think we did, too. The response from both teams made the game really fun.”
“I think (Harden) was just kind of getting a little bit chippy with C.B.,” Gordon told the Post. “I think C.B. was doing a good job pressuring him. And I can’t let anybody step to my young fella, so I was just running in giving backup. This is what playoff basketball is about. You see these teams every day, or every other day. You play them so many times consecutively, it’s bound to get chippy,” Gordon added.
Harden has spent a lot of time in the series guarding Gordon with Braun on Harden most of the time.
“Defensive physicality … that starts with me and I didn’t do enough of it both ends early,” Braun said of his Game 6 performance. “I’ve gt to set the tone for Game Seven. Game Seven is what everybody wants to play in. I’m just really excited to be out there and compete,” Braun said, adding, “I know the team is ready. The coaches are ready. This is a big game for all of us. We owe it to the fans who come out to bring it.”
Harden, who has been in the league 16 seasons to Braun’s three, says he has the energy to play the entire game if needed. After all, it’s a Game 7.
“Got to. Have to,” Harden told reporters Saturday. “It is what it is. It’s a part of it. Whatever the team needs. If it’s 47 (minutes), 48, overtime, whatever. I’m going to do it.”
The Nuggets enter the game as the 4 seed in the West. Los Angeles is the 5 seed. The winner plays OKC, the top seed in the West, on Monday in Oklahoma City. The loser’s season is over.
This story was originally published May 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and yes, Christian Braun could be keys for Nuggets."
