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VANCOUVER, CANADA – OCTOBER 6: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets takes the ball to the ring after getting previous Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors through the first half in a preseason NBA recreation at Rogers Arena on October 6, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this Photograph, person is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty)
Anybody who predicted the Denver Nuggets to out-duel the Minnesota Timberwolves within the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs may start to stroll their take again.
Following Game 3, the Timberwolves picked up a second-straight win. They’ll return to their residence courtroom with a 2-1 lead over the third-seeded Nuggets.
There’s not a whole lot of confidence within the Nuggets proper now from outsiders. Rudy Gobert is taking part in protection with a chip on his shoulder, inflicting Nikola Jokic to play a few of his worst postseason basketball.
With that stated, the place are the Nuggets at by way of their confidence? The veteran guard Christian Braun dished out some ideas after Game 3.
Christian Braun Opens Up On The Nuggets
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Michael Porter Jr. #1 and Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets react after a foul is known as through the second quarter towards the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on May 01, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
through Katy Winge, Altitude TV: Christian Braun on the Nuggets: “This is a workforce that’s been there. This is a workforce that’s received a championship…There isn’t any panic inside our locker room. I do know there may be panic outdoors of locker room.“ Said all people understands that Denver wants Game 4, and this can be a mature workforce.
The Nuggets get pleasure from holding a core group of gamers who know what it’s prefer to win on the NBA’s highest stage.
The group has one of many longest lively playoff streaks within the league. Experience is there for the Nuggets, however they aren’t going through some group of children who’re simply completely satisfied to be within the Western Conference playoffs.
Denver’s head of the snake is Nikola Jokic. The triple-double chief does a bit of little bit of every little thing, and it advantages his teammates. But when Jokic’s recreation isn’t all the way in which opened up, it turns into a notable concern for the Nuggets.
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball through the second half of the NBA recreation at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 125-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, person is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In Game 2, the Nuggets fell brief with a 119-114 loss. Jokic scored 24 factors with a 17.0% drop in taking pictures accuracy in comparison with Game 1. He additionally dished out three fewer assists.
Game 3 turned out to be certainly one of Jokic’s worst since showing within the playoffs. Seeing the courtroom for 35 minutes, the star heart made simply 26.9% of his 26 photographs from the sector. he scored an inefficient 27 factors, whereas allotting simply three assists, and turning the ball over 4 instances.
The remainder of the workforce has felt the Timberwolves’ stellar defensive assault. On a private stage, Braun has averaged simply 10 factors whereas taking pictures 39.1% from the sector. Overall, the Nuggets are barely taking pictures above 40% all through the sequence.
The Nuggets will get an opportunity to return on Saturday, April 25, for Game 5.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, overlaying trending league information, transactions, accidents, and participant developments. He is a credentialed journalist with almost a decade of insider entry. More about Justin Grasso
