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Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson is expected to return Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing more than six weeks due to a hamstring strain, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday. Watson's return would mark the first time the Nuggets have had their full roster available since early in the season. Several players, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun, have all missed extended time this year.
Adelman said Denver’s third quarter was “arguably one of our best five quarters of the year.” Jamal Murray — 11 for 21 overall, 3 of 4 from 3-point land — led the Nuggets with 30 points. But it was Christian Braun who lit Denver’s fire. He scored 19 points, making eight of nine shots, including three 3-pointers in four attempts. “I think we jelled pretty well tonight,” said Braun, who is starting to look like he’s close to 100% healthy as he recovers from the ankle injury that’s cost him 36 games this season. “As long as we get on the same page before the playoffs is what matters,” Braun continued.
!["Obviously, they were sending two [defenders] …](https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/gcdn/content-pipeline-sports-images/sports2/nba/players/1067856.png?format=png8&auto=webp&quality=85,75&width=140)
Gilgeous-Alexander received the ball near the half-court logo, with Denver's Spencer Jones on his left hip. Gilgeous-Alexander surveyed the floor as he took a few dribbles to the right wing, recognizing that Christian Braun was positioned to help on a drive. Gilgeous-Alexander created just enough space with a step-back move to his right to launch the winner over Jones' outstretched hand, a close facsimile of the dagger Gilgeous-Alexander drilled in Saturday's win over the Golden State Warriors. "Just trusting my work, first and foremost, and then just reading the defense," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who was 14-of-21 from the floor. "Obviously, they were sending two [defenders] basically the whole second half, and I knew if I wanted to get an attempt late, I would have to go quick, go fast. And the deeper I drove, the more bodies would come. Yeah, kind of had no choice."
Bennett Durando: Christian Braun on Shai: “He busted my ass tonight. ... That last game, I knew I played well and got a block in a big moment. Tonight, he made the shot in a big moment. He made a couple of them. So I know that I’m gonna play him again. I’m gonna play him in the playoffs.”
Nuggets shooting guard Christian Braun missed 37 games earlier this season with a severe ankle sprain with torn ligaments. Multiple Nuggets sources were cautiously optimistic after the game Friday that Murray had suffered a more mild sprain, but the team was still waiting to get more thorough test results over the weekend, one source said. “It sucks to see him go down,” Braun said. “But just for the team, it felt like we got all the guys back, and pregame I thought our vibe was really good. We were excited to see AG get back and the starting lineup play together again. And it seems like we played, what, 12 minutes? Or whatever it was together. So it sucks for ‘Mal. It sucks to watch.” “This has just been insane,” Adelman said. “Every time we get somebody back, I feel like that game, somebody else goes out.”
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Q. What did you learn playing with Russell Westbrook? Christian Braun: Oh man, talk about like a relentless work ethic. That's probably the biggest thing. I think for me with Russ early on obviously there's pressure playing with Russ, same pressure playing with Jokic. I watched him growing up obviously cuz he was in OKC and then getting to know him up close and watching him work and then in a sense I told people my family this too, and I think I've told Russ this, but like playing with Russ especially when I was starting and Russ was sixth man, I knew every single day, every single game if I didn't bring it, there's a chance coach Mo would play Russ, and he would close the game. And I knew that. And so like that that really like pushed me every night. And like I said, I didn't want to miss games cuz if you miss a game and Russ slides in, there's a really good chance he has a triple double and you don't get your spot back. So I'm out there like, I need to play tonight, you know? And so I definitely thank Russ, even just having Russ behind you, it's pushing you. You got to be your best cuz no matter what every single night Russ is going to be no matter. He obviously is another big part of my career indirectly, and I don't even know if he knows that, but indirectly Russ helped me out a lot last year.
Bennett Durando: Christian Braun on Nuggets' clutch drop-off: "I think a lot of it this year has just been not holding our spots. Not being tough enough. ... It has nothing to do with our process down the stretch. It has nothing to do with anything besides, we need to hold our spots."
Brendan Vogt: Spencer Jones (concussion protocol) is questionable for tomorrow's game against the Grizzlies. Nikola Jokić (L ankle sprain), Jamal Murray (L hip inflammation), and Christian Braun (L ankle sprain) are all probable. Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson still OUT w/ hamstring strains.
Brendan Vogt: Christian Braun is at the podium tonight. He said he’s not as explosive off the ankle as he needs to be, but it’s much better than the initial return. “That’s all I can ask for.” Some days are better than others w/ the ankle, he said.
Vinny Benedetto: Jamal Murray is questionable for Monday's game against Cleveland with left hip inflammation. Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun are probable. Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones remain out.
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Vinny Benedetto: Christian Braun is probable for tonight’s game against the Knicks. Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson remain out for Denver.
Bennett Durando: With Christian Braun returning tonight, sounds like the Nuggets may rest Spencer Jones so that he’s available tomorrow for back-to-back in New York, per sources. He has one game of eligibility remaining on his two-way contract until Denver can convert him to a standard deal.
Brendan Vogt: Christian Braun has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow night’s game in Detroit. Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson are still out.
Brandon Rahbar: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are good to go tonight vs OKC. Thunder missing Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell. Nuggets missing Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Cam Johnson. Neither team is close to full strength. But both teams have an MVP and 1st time All Star.
