Christian Braun on failed initial return from ankle injury: ‘I wasn’t ready’

Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass during the first half of a 110-87 loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)White men can’t jump if their ankles aren’t fully healed, Christian Braun learned recently.

So as he prepared to return from a left ankle sprain for the second time in as many months, he paid more attention this time to his bounce as a barometer.

“I think the biggest (factor) was, ‘Can I jump in the air?'” the Nuggets guard said. “Obviously, they do all their tests (on an injury) and they do a really good job, but truthfully, I couldn’t jump. And if everybody has seen me play, I jump…