Nuggets' Braun Out 6 Weeks with Ankle Sprain

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun sustained a severe left ankle sprain during Wednesday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers and will miss at least the next six weeks, the team announced Friday.

The injury occurred with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Nuggets' 130-116 win at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Braun, defending Clippers guard James Harden, landed awkwardly after Harden stepped on his right foot. The 24-year-old briefly returned in the second quarter but limped off and requested a substitution, unable to continue. He played 16 minutes in the game before exiting for good.

Braun, a starter in all 11 of Denver's games this season, has been a key contributor to the team's 9-2 start, which places them second in the Western Conference, two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is averaging 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field. Known for his high-energy defense, Braun often guards opponents' top perimeter players in man-to-man schemes. His net rating of 17.6 ranks as the best of his career, underscoring his impact on both ends of the court.

The timetable for reevaluation in six weeks...