Denver Nuggets rookie reserve Christian Braun surpasses his previous point production, doubling his scoring output in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
Nuggets rookie Braun excels in Game 3, propelling team to victory and series lead with 11 second-half points.
Nuggets' No. 21 pick Braun delivers playoff career-best performance, achieving double-digit points for the first time, surpassing his previous high of nine points.
Braun, with an average of 2.4 points in 11.8 playoff minutes, sees increased playing time in Game 3 of the Finals with nearly 24 minutes on the court.
Nuggets coach Malone praises Braun's impactful performance off the bench, highlighting his confidence, aggression, and non-rookie-like play with 15 points and four rebounds in just 19 minutes.
Regular-season stats: Braun averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game, but reduced playing time for reserves in the playoffs is expected.
Malone commends Braun's consistent performance and winning mentality as he maintains a rotation spot throughout the playoffs, a rarity for rookies, demonstrating his confidence and winning track record.