The Denver Nuggets are riding a hot streak, even as injuries continue to test their depth. But while the wins keep coming, there’s a lingering concern on the wing-and it centers around Christian Braun.
Braun, who returned earlier this month from a severely sprained left ankle, appeared in three of four games before suddenly vanishing from the rotation. He’s now missed four straight contests, and naturally, that’s sparked questions about whether he suffered a setback. But according to head coach David Adelman, this isn’t about re-injury-it’s about readiness.
“I watch him work out, and he’s going full speed,” Adelman said. “It’s just, he can’t do everything his body should be able to do right now. And so I feel like it’s fair to us and to the player for him to come back when he’s really ready to play basketball, not just run up and down the court.”
That’s a key distinction. Braun is moving well and participating in non-contact drills, but the finer points-those split-second reactions, explosive cuts, and defensive instincts-aren’t all the way back. And for a team with championship aspirations, playing someone who’s not fully functional just doesn’t make sense.
So why bring him back at all if he wasn’t ready? That’s where Braun’s competitiveness comes into play.
He pushed to return, and the coaching staff gave him the opportunity. But once it became clear he wasn’t quite there, they made the call to pull back.
It’s a tough balance between a player’s desire to contribute and the reality of what his body can handle. In Braun’s case, the Nuggets are choosing to be cautious-and that’s the smart play.
Meanwhile, as the Nuggets continue to navigate this stretch shorthanded, Aaron Gordon is quietly doing everything. His stat line in Denver’s 121-116 win over the Washington Wizards might not jump off the page-eight points-but dig a little deeper and you’ll see why Adelman couldn’t stop praising him.
Gordon pulled down 10 defensive boards, dished out 11 assists, and essentially operated as the team’s point forward. He controlled the tempo, initiated sets from the post, and consistently found teammates like Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr. in rhythm. It wasn’t flashy-it was just flat-out effective.
“Aaron is just a chameleon,” Adelman said. “Every night he kind of takes on what’s needed.
Tonight it was playmaking. It was the defensive rebound that no one else could get.”
That adaptability has been critical with Denver missing key contributors. Gordon’s ability to shape-shift depending on what the team needs-whether it’s scoring, defending, facilitating, or cleaning the glass-has made him the glue guy for a team still finding its full identity this season.
With Braun sidelined and roles shifting on the fly, Gordon’s steady presence is helping keep the Nuggets on track. They’ve now won four straight, and while the headlines may focus on the stars, it’s the behind-the-scenes versatility of players like Gordon that’s allowing Denver to stay dangerous.