Nuggets Vs. Celtics Observations: Christian Braun’s First Audition With Starting Lineup, Russell Westbrook’s Debut And The Scene

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — He isn’t the main event anymore, but Russell Westbrook might be the NBA star player you’d most want to see play in a preseason game, even at 35. His attacks on the rim are so fully committed, even when they fail, that he crash-landed behind the baseline after one of them Friday and stood up with a limp. Oh, boy.

Raiders (2-2) at Broncos (2-2) When: Sunday, 2:05 p.m. MT Where: Empower Field at Mile High Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/FOX Line: Broncos -3.0 Broncos-Raiders series: Denver is 53-72-2 in 127 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 27-14 in the last meeting, on Jan. 7, 2024, in Las Vegas, and have dropped eight in a row against their divisional foe. In the spotlight: Raiders TE Brock Bowers has potential to give Broncos “headaches” The sacrifice of Denver drafting its franchise quarterback: Missing out on potential generational talent. With the 12th overall pick in April’s draft, the Broncos were in position to take Georgia star tight end Brock Bowers — one of the most highly rated players in the class and someone who could solve Denver’s need for a dynamic pass catcher. The Broncos, however, decided to address the most important position on the roster, taking Bo Nix.

Alex Singleton is just as surprised as his teammates that he played with a torn ACL. Speaking to reporters for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, Denver’s inside linebacker said he never felt any pain after sustaining the tear early in the first quarter and playing the rest of the game. “I didn’t think I needed to get checked,” Singleton said.

October is here and opportunity knocks for the Broncos. They’re not the only team out there hoping to make a move in the coming weeks, of course. More than a third of the NFL enters Week 5 at 2-2. Only a very small handful of teams find themselves at the very end of the spectrum either way. Denver head coach Sean Payton always feels this way about this part of the calendar in general.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The Nuggets lost to the Celtics 107-103 on Friday night in the first of two preseason games being held in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Here are three observations from the game and its atypical environment. How Braun fared with Denver’s starting lineup Michael Malone stressed before opening tip that he wants his fifth-starter candidates to get comfortable playing next to the other four, again mentioning both Christian Braun and Julian Strawther.

It’s a two family reunion weekend for Steve Foley. The long-time Broncos defensive back and linchpin of the Orange Crush defense will be reunited with his football family on Sunday when the club not only honors the 1977 defense but also officially welcomes Foley and Riley Odoms into the Broncos Ring of Fame. That’s just the start for Foley, 70, who was born and raised in New Orleans as one of 13 children.