The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets are starting the 2023-24 season exactly where they ended last season—dominating opponents on both ends of the court.
Denver, who took a 63-54 lead into halftime against the Lakers, posted one of the memorable moments of the early season in the second quarter.
As Lakers star LeBron James looked to drive to the rim against Jamal Murray, second-year guard Christian Braun quickly closed down to help his teammate. The 2022 NBA first round pick out of Kansas rose up and met James at the rim, emphatically rejecting his shot into the crowd.
BIG BLOCK CHRISTIAN BRAUN 💪
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2023
📺: #KiaTipOff23 | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/ShvdzMaoRb
The block immediately sent social media into a frenzy as NBA fans were impressed by the athletic ability of the 6'6" guard who rejected arguably the greatest player of all time on opening night.
Christian Braun blocks LeBron. 🔒🔒
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 25, 2023
pic.twitter.com/umiGr39Fc4
What a block by Christian Braun! 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/Y8LbVRU0f9
— OutOfSightSports🚀™️ (@OOSSports) October 25, 2023
Christian Braun after blocking Lebron: pic.twitter.com/LX2shtDqZs
— Joy De’Angela (@joydeangela) October 25, 2023
CHRISTIAN BRAUN WITH THE SWAT ON LEBRON 😱🔥#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/yTgzkyiQlL
— Hoops Nation (@_HoopsNation) October 25, 2023
Christian Braun denies LeBron 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Eqff3rFZrV
— Nuggets World 🌎 (@NuggetsWorldd) October 25, 2023
CHRISTIAN BRAUN BIG TIME BLOCK #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/6gk438bzzU
— Jack (@retro_colorado) October 25, 2023
Christian Braun with the block on LeBron ❌
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 25, 2023
Nuggets are not messing around tonight 😤pic.twitter.com/Erp9RQRZ9E
CHRISTIAN BRAUN JOINING THE BLOCK PARTY #MileHighBasketball #LakeShow #NBA
— Court Side Heat (@courtsideheat) October 25, 2023
pic.twitter.com/W2VaMtnwiu
Christian Braun denies LeBron at the rim! 😬pic.twitter.com/asuTjasK3P
— SleeperNBA (@SleeperNBA) October 25, 2023