Nuggets' Christian Braun takes blame for loss to Thunder

Denver guard admits he didn't do enough to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in defeat

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun took responsibility for his team's 129-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, saying he failed to contain Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 35 points in the game. Braun acknowledged that he didn't do a good enough job defending Gilgeous-Alexander, who made several key shots down the stretch to lead the Thunder to victory.

Why it matters

The loss to the Thunder was the Nuggets' third defeat against their division rival this season, highlighting the team's struggles against one of the Western Conference's up-and-coming squads. Braun's willingness to take accountability for his defensive lapses shows his leadership and commitment to improving, which will be crucial as the Nuggets look to make a deep playoff run.

The details

Gilgeous-Alexander had another MVP-caliber performance, recording 35 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block without any turnovers. Braun, who was tasked with guarding SGA, admitted that he did not do his job well, saying "He busted my a** tonight." Braun played 38 minutes, the second-most on the Nuggets, but only scored 4 points on 6 attempts, though he added 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

  • The Nuggets have now dropped all three of their games against the Thunder this season.
  • The Thunder beat the Nuggets in overtime, 127-121, last month.

The players

Christian Braun

A 24-year-old guard for the Denver Nuggets who was tasked with defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the loss.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who scored 35 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished out 15 assists in the win over the Nuggets.

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets who played 40 minutes in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“He busted my a** tonight. That last game, I knew I played well and got a block in a big moment. Tonight, he made the shot in a big moment. He made a couple of them. I know that I'm gonna play him again. I'm gonna play him in the playoffs.”

— Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets guard (The Denver Post)

“When I do a good job on him (Gilgeous-Alexander) like (the last game), we have a really good chance to win those games. But tonight, I wasn't good enough. He goes 14 for 21. Anytime he's that efficient, they're gonna have a better chance to win.”

— Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets guard (The Denver Post)

What’s next

The Nuggets will face the Houston Rockets on Wednesday as they look to bounce back from the tough loss to the Thunder.

The takeaway

This game highlights the continued growth of the Oklahoma City Thunder as a rising force in the Western Conference, as well as the importance of Christian Braun's defense in the Nuggets' success. Braun's willingness to take accountability shows his leadership and commitment to improving, which will be crucial for the Nuggets as they aim to make a deep playoff run.