The former KU and Blue Valley Northwest standout had a game for the ages in a Nuggets victory over the Los Angeles Clippers that propelled Denver into the conference semifinals.

As the shot clock wound down, Braun stayed airtight to Harden’s body without fouling, a well-timed double by Jamal Murray forcing Harden into a stifled stepback three that hit only air. And Braun turned towards the baseline as the 24-second buzzer rang red, bellowing, another possession won against one of the NBA’s star guards.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, top center, looks to pass the ball to forward Derrick Jones Jr., bottom center, as Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray, left, and Christian Braun (0) defend in the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski