Nuggets fall to Nets in Gordon, Braun's return

The Denver Nuggets lost 127-115 to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday despite the returns of Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.

Gordon tallied 20 points and six boards in 21 minutes off the bench, while Braun had only three points and two boards in his return to the starting lineup.

Gordon missed the last 19 games due to a hamstring strain. Braun was absent for the last 23 contests because of an ankle sprain.

The Nuggets are still without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and forward Cameron Johnson.

Jokic is expected to miss at least the rest of January after hyperextending his left knee in a 143-127 defeat to the Miami Heat on Dec. 29. Jokic did manage to avoid significant ligament damage. Johnson, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Nets for Michael Porter Jr., has missed the last five games with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Denver is also without backup center Jonas Valanciunas, who will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a right calf strain in a New Year's Eve road victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The 23-12 Nuggets sit in third in the Western Conference after losing four out of their last five games.