Denver Nuggets
Teams of Note
1981-1982 Denver Nuggets; 1993-1994 Denver Nuggets
Records: 46-36 (1981-1982); 42-40 (1993-1994); Overall rankings: 546th, 0.224 points above average (1981-1982); 414th, 1.510 points above average (1993-1994)
Two Denver Nugget teams deserve recognition.
The 1981-1982 Denver Nuggets set NBA records for points scored and points allowed.
Denver scored 10,371 points and allowed 10,371 points during the 1981-1982 season – an average of 126.5 points scored and allowed per game. The 1981-1982 Nuggets are the only team to score 100 points in every game in a season. They were the first team to allow 100 points in every game in a season – a feat matched only once since.
The Nuggets managed a 46-36 record, but lost 2-1 against the Phoenix Suns in a three-game miniseries in the opening round of the playoffs.
The points scored record still stands. The points allowed record fell to another Denver Nuggets team. Then 1990-1991 Nuggets allowed 130.8 points per outing.
The 1993-1994 Denver Nuggets became the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in the playoffs under the current postseason format. Denver rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Seattle Supersonics in five games. Seattle had finished the regular season with a 63-19 record, best in the NBA by five games. Denver had finished 42-40. The Nuggets won the last two games of the series in overtime, including a 98-94 stunner in Seattle in the decisive fifth game.
Denver nearly went on to become the first NBA team to win a playoff series after trailing 3-0. The Nuggets forced a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz, but Utah recovered and won the finale 91-81.
Denver Nuggets From Top to Bottom
| All-time Ranking | W-L | Playoffs | ||
| 147 | 1976-77 | Denver Nuggets | 50-32 | West semifinals |
| 231 | 1987-88 | Denver Nuggets | 54-28 | West semifinals |
| 371 | 1984-85 | Denver Nuggets | 52-30 | West finals |
| 376 | 2004-05 | Denver Nuggets | 49-33 | West first round |
| 427 | 2006-07 | Denver Nuggets | 45-37 | West first round |
| 435 | 1993-94 | Denver Nuggets | 42-40 | West semifinals |
| 439 | 2003-04 | Denver Nuggets | 43-39 | West first round |
| 443 | 1989-90 | Denver Nuggets | 43-39 | West first round |
| 459 | 1978-79 | Denver Nuggets | 47-35 | West first round |
| 480 | 1988-89 | Denver Nuggets | 44-38 | West first round |
| 485 | 1985-86 | Denver Nuggets | 47-35 | West semifinals |
| 506 | 1994-95 | Denver Nuggets | 41-41 | West first round |
| 512 | 1977-78 | Denver Nuggets | 48-34 | West finals |
| 557 | 1982-83 | Denver Nuggets | 45-37 | West semifinals |
| 558 | 2005-06 | Denver Nuggets | 44-38 | West first round |
| 572 | 1981-82 | Denver Nuggets | 46-36 | West first round |
| 675 | 1980-81 | Denver Nuggets | 37-45 | |
| 695 | 1986-87 | Denver Nuggets | 37-45 | West first round |
| 717 | 1983-84 | Denver Nuggets | 38-44 | West first round |
| 785 | 1999-00 | Denver Nuggets | 35-47 | |
| 802 | 2000-01 | Denver Nuggets | 40-42 | |
| 811 | 1992-93 | Denver Nuggets | 36-46 | |
| 858 | 1995-96 | Denver Nuggets | 35-47 | |
| 962 | 1979-80 | Denver Nuggets | 30-52 | |
| 1016 | 2001-02 | Denver Nuggets | 27-55 | |
| 1065 | 1996-97 | Denver Nuggets | 21-61 | |
| 1066 | 1998-99 | Denver Nuggets | 14-36 | |
| 1101 | 2002-03 | Denver Nuggets | 17-65 | |
| 1102 | 1991-92 | Denver Nuggets | 24-58 | |
| 1144 | 1990-91 | Denver Nuggets | 20-62 | |
| 1151 | 1997-98 | Denver Nuggets | 11-71 | |