Christian Braun Gets Honest on Nuggets’ Panic Level vs Timberwolves

Anyone who predicted the Denver Nuggets to out-duel the Minnesota Timberwolves within the first spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs they could start to stroll their take again.

Following Game 3, the Timberwolves picked up a second-straight win. They’ll return to their house court docket with a 2-1 lead over the third-seeded Nuggets.

There’s not numerous 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 mentioned, the place are the Nuggets at when it comes to their confidence? 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 known as in the course of the second quarter in opposition to 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 situations 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 team that’s been there. This is a team that’s won a championship…There is no panic inside our locker room. I know there is panic outside of locker room.” Said everyone understands that Denver wants Game 4, and it is a mature staff.

The Nuggets take pleasure in holding a core group of gamers who know what it is prefer to win on the NBA’s highest degree.

The group has one of many longest energetic playoff streaks within the league. Experience is there for the Nuggets, however they are not going through some group of children who’re simply joyful to be within the Western Conference playoffs.

Denver’s head of the snake is Nikola Jokic. The triple-double chief does a little bit little bit of every little thing, and it advantages his teammates. But when Jokic’s sport is not all the way in which opened up, it turns into a notable challenge for the Nuggets.

gettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball in the course of the second half of the NBA sport 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 situations 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 capturing accuracy in comparison with Game 1. He additionally dished out three fewer assists.

Game 3 turned out to be one in every of Jokic’s worst since showing within the playoffs. Seeing the court docket for 35 minutes, the star middle made simply 26.9% of his 26 photographs from the sphere. he scored an inefficient 27 factors, whereas doling out simply three assists, and turning the ball over 4 instances.

The remainder of the staff has felt the Timberwolves’ stellar defensive assault. On a private degree, Braun has averaged simply 10 factors whereas capturing 39.1% from the sphere. Overall, the Nuggets are barely capturing above 40% all through the collection.

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