In a pivotal game for the Denver Nuggets, Christian Braun emerged as a key player, leading his team to a 124-116 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. The win snapped the Nuggets’ four-game losing streak and ensured a season series sweep of the Kings.
This game marked the first for Denver following the firing of head coach Michael Malone, who was let go earlier this week. Despite the change at the top, the Nuggets’ performance was solid, with Braun contributing 25 points, a key factor in the victory. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. also had impressive showings, each scoring 21 points.
Nikola Jokic, who is no stranger to putting up impressive stats, notched his 32nd triple-double of the season, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The win also had significant playoff implications. With only two regular-season games remaining, the Nuggets (48-32) are now tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. This positioning gives them a chance to control their playoff destiny as the season winds down.
For the Kings (39-41), the loss ended a three-game winning streak. Zach LaVine led Sacramento with 27 points and 11 assists, while DeMar DeRozan added 22 points. Despite a late surge by the Kings, Denver maintained control and secured the win.
Denver’s dominance early in the game set the tone. They led by as much as 16 points, thanks to a 13-5 run to close the first half and an 18-10 spurt to open the third quarter. At halftime, the Nuggets had already built a commanding 66-58 lead, with Braun, Porter, Gordon, and Jokic combining for 54 of those points.
Sacramento mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 113-108 with 2:30 left, but Denver’s defense and clutch shooting sealed the win. Jalen Pickett hit a key mid-range jumper, and Jokic knocked down two critical free throws to ensure victory.
With the playoffs on the horizon, Denver will need to keep their momentum going. The firing of Malone and the uncertainty that followed did not seem to affect the team’s focus as they look to secure a favorable playoff position in the tight Western Conference standings.
