When it mattered probably the most and with the lights shining the brightest, Christian Braun didn’t hesitate to personal the ground when he was referred to as up on Thursday evening in South Seaside.
The rookie out of Kansas carried out mightily as if it was he’s already aware of a territory the place the stakes are excessive, serving to the Denver Nuggets to carve a dominant 109-94 Recreation 3 win of the 2023 NBA Finals in opposition to the Miami Warmth.
“I’ve to present Christian a whole lot of love,” he mentioned. “I felt his play was implausible. [He] didn’t appear like a rookie, he’s aggressive, robust, bodily, assured. His 15 [points] and 4 [rebounds] had been very, very impactful.”
Braun ignited himself off the bench to function the Nuggets’ important x-factor in Recreation 3, lighting it up with 15 factors and 4 boards in 19 minutes of play.
All of his factors got here in from an environment friendly 7-of-8 taking pictures. His protection, alternatively, was additionally excellent and fueled Denver to interrupt away in opposition to Miami, particularly within the third body
Malone additional prolonged his reward and acknowledgment about Braun being a winner at his younger age and that constructive demeanor he holds which makes him a promising cager and a big piece of their ongoing title hunt.
“Christian has proved himself all yr lengthy and he was within the rotation to finish the season. He’s been in rotation all through these 18 playoff video games now. In case you go searching, there’s not many rookies enjoying significant minutes within the NBA and this time of the yr, and it speaks to Christian’s confidence. It speaks to him being a winner. He’s received at each degree in highschool, school. And now he’s within the NBA Finals as a rookie within the NBA,” he mentioned.
“He simply stayed prepared the entire yr, mentally, bodily, emotionally. That child by no means will get too excessive and by no means will get too low. Very calm, cool and picked up younger man. Tonight, I might simply really feel the arrogance that’s form of oozing out of him.”
Nikola Jokic, who led the Nuggets with one other monstrous triple-double, even overtly admitted that Braun’s electrical efficiency propelled them to take the 2-1 lead within the title sequence.
“I advised him he received us the sport. He’s a winner and he received us the sport with power,” Jokic mentioned about Braun’s efficiency.
“However simply the main target, the mindset even when he make a mistake, it’s an aggressive mistake so you may’t be mad at him… He received us the sport and he was actually good tonight.”
Within the perspective of Braun, it’s solely about being prepared.
As they’re just some extra wins away from lastly hoisting the trophy, the 23-year-old understands the place they’ve as they wish to capitalize on the second of being within the championship stage.
“I’m simply staying prepared and that is the NBA Finals,” Braun mentioned. “In case you’re identify is known as, you recognize you bought to be prepared.”