Watch Out, West: The Nuggets Have Found Their Fifth and Sixth Men

The Denver Nuggets are back in the second round, and they didn’t just sneak in—they stormed through the door. In a 120-101 blowout win over the Clippers in Game 7, the reigning champions made a thunderous statement. Sure, many expected Denver to advance, but few could’ve predicted such a clinical, decisive victory, especially given the struggles of their two superstars. But that’s the story here: the Nuggets didn’t win this series on the back of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray—they won because their role players turned into killers.

Let’s be clear: Jokic and Murray were far from their best. Jokic finished with a pedestrian line—14 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists—while also racking up 5 turnovers and 5 fouls. He shot just 5-for-13 from the floor and looked out of rhythm much of the night. Murray wasn’t much better, scoring 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting with just 2 assists and 4 turnovers. In most cases, that spells doom for Denver. But not this time.

Because Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and—perhaps most shockingly—Russell Westbrook, stepped up and stole the show.

Gordon led the team in scoring with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. But it was Braun and Westbrook who reshaped the narrative of the Nuggets’ rotation—and potentially their playoff ceiling.

Braun, a third-year guard who came into this series largely overlooked, was nothing short of a revelation in Game 7. He dropped 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-for-5 from deep. And it wasn’t just offense—Braun clamped James Harden, who had erupted for 28 points in Game 6. Harden? In Game 7? Just 7 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Braun stuck to him like Velcro, contesting every dribble, every shot, and closing passing lanes like a seasoned vet.

But it’s not just one game. Braun’s series numbers tell a bigger story: 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, on 49.3% shooting. That’s more offensive production than Michael Porter Jr. (10.9 PPG), and more defensive impact than any wing not named Gordon. According to matchup tracking, Braun defended Harden for 282 possessions in the series—Harden went 16-for-40 and scored just 47 points in that span. That’s lockdown.

The advanced metrics back it up. With Braun on the court during this series, the Nuggets had a +5.3 net rating. Without him? A brutal -30.3. His on/off split: a jaw-dropping +35.6, even better than Jokic’s +32.1. Yes, it’s a small sample, but it’s also not an accident.

Offensively, Braun is blossoming. His regular season stats were already strong—15.4 PPG on absurd splits (58.0/39.7/82.7) and a true shooting percentage of 66.5%. He finished fourth in Most Improved Player voting, behind Dyson Daniels, Ivica Zubac, and Cade Cunningham. And now he’s proving it wasn’t a fluke—he’s doing it on the biggest stage.

Then there’s Westbrook. If Braun is the quiet killer, Westbrook is the loud one. Let’s not forget: he was cast aside by the Clippers, his former team. He signed a vet-minimum deal with Denver—$3.3 million for one year—and now he’s delivering playoff moments that money can’t buy.

Game 7 was Westbrook’s symphony of revenge. In the second quarter, he poured in 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals—all in 12 relentless minutes. His energy flipped the game. The Clippers led after one. They trailed by double digits at halftime. That’s Russ.

And he wasn’t done. In the third and early fourth quarters, Westbrook kept hammering away, finishing with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. One play defined it all: 7 minutes left, Clippers trying to spark a comeback, Dunn passes to Zubac. Out of nowhere, Westbrook bursts in for a steal, sprints the floor, and throws down a rim-rattling dunk. Yes, he got a technical for hanging on the rim—but the crowd didn’t care. It was raw, visceral, and personal.

Across the series, Westbrook averaged 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals, shooting 43.3% from the field and a red-hot 41.9% from three. Let that last number sink in. The Clippers dared him to shoot. He made them pay. And then some.

In a way, Westbrook has become Denver’s version of Bruce Brown from last year’s title run: a relentless bench presence, a wild card who can swing momentum with a single burst. The irony is thick—last year, Denver’s bench was a weakness. Now, with Braun and Westbrook, it might be a strength again.

This win was also a testament to the Nuggets’ depth and adaptability. New coach adjustments, less shooting than two years ago, and a tighter rotation—but it all clicked. Jokic and Murray didn’t have to be brilliant. Because now Denver has a fifth man and a sixth man capable of winning games outright.

Looking ahead, the road only gets steeper. The next opponent? The 72-14 Oklahoma City Thunder—rested, loaded, and explosive. Game 1 tips off in less than 48 hours, and that short turnaround could test Denver’s endurance. Jokic, Gordon, Murray—they’ve all been here before. But Westbrook? This is just his second trip to the second round since 2016. The last time was inside the bubble.

Now, it’s different. Now, he has a chance to write one final chapter in his postseason story. Against his former team. In a deep playoff run. With a ring possibly in sight.

As for Braun? The league might finally start paying attention. Because if he continues at this level—on both ends of the court—Denver may not just have a new x-factor. They might have a future star.

Commentary:
Forget what you thought about the Denver Nuggets being a two-man team. Game 7 was a statement—a defiant, thunderous reminder that championship teams are built not only on stars, but on steel-nerved role players. Christian Braun and Russell Westbrook didn’t just play well. They shifted the balance of power. Braun, the silent assassin with elite two-way instincts; Westbrook, the fiery vet out for vengeance and redemption. Together, they rewrote the narrative of this team. In a playoff field loaded with heavyweights, the Nuggets just reminded everyone: they’ve got more than Jokic. They’ve got killers coming off the bench. And now, the West better watch its back.