Adelman praised Braun's all-around game as key to the Nuggets' crucial win.
The Denver Nuggets needed a strong finish heading into the All-Star break, and that is exactly what they got on Wednesday night at Ball Arena.
Denver held off a late push from the Memphis Grizzlies to win 122-116, improving to 35-20 on the season and picking up some momentum after a rough stretch that saw them lose four of their last five.
While Nikola Jokic once again filled up the stat sheet with another triple-double, it was Christian Braun who earned the biggest praise from head coach David Adelman after the game.
Adelman Shines Light on Braun
Adelman did not hesitate when asked about the standout performer of the night, pointing straight to his fourth-year wing.
"I'd say that the guy tonight that should be talked about, Christian Braun, was amazing tonight," Adelman said. "I played him almost 40 minutes. He guarded everybody, getting through pick and rolls, running the court. He makes us a transition team, it's him. He just runs so hard; he runs his lane so well. I'm really proud of him, 14 points, six assists, seven rebounds, plus-12."
Braun's stat line may not jump off the page at first glance, but Adelman's comments paint the full picture of what he brings to this team.
In a season where Braun is averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while battling ankle injuries that have limited him to just 18 games, a performance like this shows what he can do when healthy and given heavy minutes.
His energy on both ends was a big reason the Nuggets held off a Grizzlies squad that trimmed a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit down to the final possession.
Jokic Does His Thing
Of course, this is still Jokic's team.
The three-time MVP posted 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Grizzlies for his 20th triple-double of the season.
Jokic is putting up 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists this season, leading the league in both rebounds and assists per game.
Jamal Murray added 23 points and sealed the game with four free throws in the final 12 seconds.
Memphis, which fell to 20-33 on the year, showed fight down the stretch and made things uncomfortable for Denver.
But the Nuggets' experience and talent won out when it mattered most.
A Healthy Nuggets Team is a Scary Thought
The biggest storyline surrounding the Nuggets all season has been injuries.
Jokic missed 16 games with a knee issue, Braun has dealt with a lingering ankle problem, and the team has rarely had its full starting lineup available.
Despite all of that, Denver has remained in the thick of the Western Conference race and sits at the third seed heading into the break.
If this team can get healthy and find a consistent rotation in the second half, they have the talent to make a serious run.
Murray is having a career year and earned his first All-Star nod, Jokic is still the most dominant player in basketball, and guys like Braun bring the kind of two-way effort that wins playoff games.
The Nuggets already showed they can compete through adversity, going 10-6 during Jokic's absence earlier this season.
Getting their full group back after the All-Star break could be the spark that turns a good season into a great one.