The Nuggets are on the cusp of their first title in franchise history following a 108–95 victory over the Heat in Game 4 on Friday. While regular contributors like Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon all chipped in to put Denver up 3–1 in the NBA Finals, an unlikely hero emerged late in the fourth quarter to seal the deal: Bruce Brown.
The Nuggets swingman saw an extended run in the closing frame of Game 4 and took advantage of the opportunity. He rattled off 11 points in the fourth quarter, all of which came in the final 5:07 in the contest to help Denver pull away from a lingering Miami team.
To cap things off, Brown sank a deep, pull-up three-pointer for the final dagger.
Jokic was fired up for Bruce Brown's 4th quarter takeover 🔥 pic.twitter.com/56rOHygKm1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 10, 2023
BRUCE BROWN AND-1 🗣
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2023
Denver leads by 11 with under 2 minutes to play in Game 4 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/3SYopSTqX0
Thanks in part to his explosion in the closing minutes, Brown ended the game with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also added four rebounds and two assists, while receiving plenty of praise from around the NBA world.
Here are just some of the reactions to Brown’s late-game outburst:
Bruce Brown is going to be paaaaaaid.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) June 10, 2023
We've already demonstrated you can't handle Murray-Jokic pick-and-roll but here have some Bruce Brown
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) June 10, 2023
Bruce Brown over Porter down the stretch — THE MOVE from Mike Malone.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 10, 2023
Bruce Brown in the 4th has been outstanding. So so so good.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) June 10, 2023
After this is all said and done Bruce Brown should never have to buy a drink in Colorado ever again.
— Zach Bye (@byesline) June 10, 2023
Bruce Brown. Boston tough. https://t.co/aexF0V5G2p
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 10, 2023
Bruce Brown ... way to seize the day.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) June 10, 2023
Alongside Jokić (23 points, 12 rebounds), Murray (15 points, 12 assists) and Gordon (27 points), Brown put the Nuggets just one win away from a championship. Denver will look to close out the series at home on Monday in Game 5.
