Christian Braun Shines as Nuggets’ New Starter, Outplays Former Teammate KCP

DENVER, Colo. — Christian Braun delivered a standout performance Sunday night, proving he can fill the void left by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) in the Denver Nuggets‘ starting lineup. The second-year guard scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 132-123 win over the Orlando Magic, outplaying his former teammate and mentor, KCP, who struggled with 4-of-14 shooting.

Braun, a former Kansas Jayhawk, has been a revelation for the Nuggets this season. Despite not being handed the starting shooting guard role immediately, he has stepped up in critical moments. His 36-minute performance against Orlando included a game-high +22 plus/minus rating, showcasing his impact on both ends of the floor.

KCP, who was instrumental in Denver’s 2023 NBA championship run, has struggled since joining the Magic. This season, he is averaging just 9.1 points per game on 31.6% three-point shooting, a significant drop from his 41.5% mark with the Nuggets. On Sunday, Braun’s defensive intensity limited KCP to 2-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Braun’s versatility has been key for Denver. He is tied for third in the NBA in fast-break points per game (4.8) and has scored at least 20 points in four of his last five games. His ability to adapt to varying lineups due to injuries has made him an invaluable asset for Coach Michael Malone.

The Nuggets, currently two games out of the Western Conference‘s second seed, will look to Braun for another strong performance Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. His emergence has softened the blow of losing KCP and provided optimism for Denver’s playoff aspirations.