The first message that got through to Christian Braun came from DeAndre Jordan, who, until Sunday afternoon, sat alongside Denver’s versatile rookie on the bench.
“They just say, ‘Change the game, change the energy,’” Braun said of what he was told before being utilized in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 122-120 loss to Brooklyn, the Nuggets’ third consecutive defeat.
Braun, who played meaningful minutes for the first time since Feb. 25th, finished with seven points, three rebounds, and an assist while playing 11:39 of the fourth quarter. Down 11 when the Nuggets entered the fourth quarter, head coach Michael Malone turned to Braun after Denver’s defense collapsed, allowing 37 points in the third quarter.