Christian Braun, Christian Braun injury, Denver Nuggets
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Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets watches his team compete against the Minnesota Timberwolves win the second quarter at Ball Arena on December 25, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
The injury-ravaged Denver Nuggets could be getting starting two-guard Christian Braun back from injury imminently.
Braun, who has missed 11 consecutive games with an ankle sprain, has been upgraded to doubtful for Sunday night’s Western Conference semifinals rematch against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While the Kansas alum is likely to sit out a 12th consecutive game, it’s a positive sign that he isn’t ruled out a day before tipoff.
The 24-year-old guard missed 23 games earlier in the season with the same left ankle sprain before returning in the Jan. 4 game against the Brooklyn Nets. However, he lasted only three games before re-aggravating the same injury.
Christian Braun Injury Update
Nuggets head coach David Adelman admitted a few weeks ago that Braun rushed back from his injury as he was eager to return to the court. As such, the Nuggets are expected to be extra cautious before clearing Braun to return this time around.
“CB is tough,” Adelman said of Braun.
“So him coming back as quick as he did off an injury like that is not surprising. And I think we have to do what’s best for him. I do think it’s a group conversation. Whatever CB communicates, I 100% understand where he’s coming from. That guy likes to play, loves to hoop. And he loves to win.”
Braun’s imminent return comes at a key time for the Nuggets when starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (knee bone bruise) continue to be sidelined. While Gordon is expected to be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, Johnson could potentially return after the All-Star break, per beat writers covering the Nuggets.
Nikola Jokic Injury Recovery
The likes of Peyton Watson, Jalen Pickett, Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther have stepped up in a big way during the Nuggets’ injury-impacted season. The team got its best player, Nikola Jokic, back after a 16-game absence in Friday’s win over the LA Clippers. Thankfully, the three-time MVP avoided any injury setbacks and is expected to play in Sunday’s blockbuster clash against the reigning NBA champions.
After his successful return on Friday, Jokic praised his teammates for going 10-6 while he was sidelined and for staying in the hunt for a top-three seed.
“I’m happy for the guys,” Jokic said, via EuroHoops.
“I’m happy because I think everybody doubted them, and everybody [was like], ‘Jamal cannot do this. Peyton [Watson] is not that kind of player.’… Everybody step up, and everybody show that they can play, and I always say when you play 100%, you give yourself a chance to win a game.”
Although the Nuggets will be without three starters against the Thunder, all signs point to a competitive game between the conference rivals, given that the latter will also be without key rotational pieces like Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell. Thunder (38-11) start as 5.5-point favorites despite playing on the road and having lost three of their last four games and four of their last seven contests.