Nuggets Get a Career-High 31 from Christian Braun in an NBA Cup Win

Nuggets Nation, that was a shootout, and Christian Braun picked the perfect night to catch fire.

Our Take: Jamal Murray was the headliner, but Braun's breakout is the bigger story. A version of Braun who makes defenses pay for leaving him open changes what this starting five can be.

FOX Sports reports Murray scored 39 and Braun added a career-high 31 as Denver beat the Suns 127-120 to open NBA Cup group play. The Denver Post's Bennett Durando writes that Braun went 11-for-16 with three steals, had a career-high six 3-pointers by halftime, and capped the night with a dagger three for a a double-digit lead lead with 2:15 left.

Nikola Jokic added 18 points and 10 assists, and Cam Johnson returned with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, per the Post. Phoenix's Dillon Brooks was ejected after crew chief Tyler Ford ruled he "overtly kicked Murray in the groin."

What to watch: Murray's minutes. David Adelman admitted Murray's league-leading workload is "probably not" sustainable. Denver (3-2) hosts Portland next, and the Rockets are next in Cup play on Nov. 20.

Sources: The Denver Post, FOX Sports