Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball franchise based in Denver, Colorado. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. Founded in 1967 as one of the American Basketball Association’s (ABA) charter franchises, the Nuggets are one of four former ABA teams to survive the 1976 ABA-NBA merger and establish sustained success in the NBA.

The Nuggets won their first and only NBA championship in 2023, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and guard Jamal Murray, defeating the Miami Heat 4-1 in the Finals. The franchise has evolved from a high-scoring, entertainment-focused ABA team into a modern NBA powerhouse built around Jokić, widely regarded as one of the greatest centers and most versatile players in basketball history.

ABA Origins and Early Success (1967–1976)

The Denver Nuggets were founded in 1967 as the Denver Rockets, one of the original franchises in the newly formed American Basketball Association. The team was initially intended for Kansas City but relocated to Denver before beginning play. In 1974, the franchise rebranded as the Denver Nuggets, adopting the name of Denver’s previous NBA team that had folded in 1950.

The ABA Nuggets quickly established an entertaining, high-scoring identity. Under head coach Larry Brown, Denver featured explosive offensive talent such as David Thompson, Dan Issel, and Bobby Jones. The team reached the ABA Finals in 1976, losing to the New York Nets in six games.

Following the 1975-76 season, the ABA merged with the NBA. The Nuggets, along with the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and New York (later New Jersey, now Brooklyn) Nets, were absorbed into the established league. The Nuggets were the last of these four franchises to reach an ABA Finals.

Early NBA Era and High-Octane Offense (1976–1990)

The Nuggets’ early NBA years featured consistently high-scoring basketball. Denver became known for fast-paced offense, regularly ranking among the league leaders in points scored. Under coach Doug Moe in the 1980s, the team popularized an up-tempo system that prioritized offense over defense, leading the league in scoring multiple times.

Despite entertaining regular-season success, playoff disappointment defined this era. The Nuggets qualified for the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons from 1976-1985 but never advanced past the Western Conference Finals. Stars including Alex English, Dan Issel, and Kiki Vandeweghe provided offensive firepower, but defensive limitations prevented championship contention.

The 1990s: Decline and the Mutombo Era (1990–2001)

The 1990s brought both struggle and a brief renaissance. The Nuggets posted consecutive losing seasons in the early 1990s before acquiring center Dikembe Mutombo, whose defensive dominance revitalized the franchise.

In the 1993-94 season, the eighth-seeded Nuggets upset the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs, becoming the first eighth seed to defeat a first seed in NBA playoff history. The five-game series victory remains one of the franchise’s most celebrated achievements despite a second-round elimination.

Following Mutombo’s departure in 1996, the Nuggets entered a prolonged decline, missing the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons between 1996 to 2003 and posting multiple sub-20-win campaigns.

The Carmelo Anthony Era (2003–2011)

The 2003 NBA Draft fundamentally altered the franchise’s trajectory. With the third overall pick, Denver selected Carmelo Anthony from Syracuse. Anthony’s arrival immediately restored competitiveness, as the Nuggets returned to the playoffs in his rookie season.

Throughout the late 2000s, Denver fielded competitive teams built around Anthony’s scoring and versatile rosters including Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, and J.R. Smith. The Nuggets made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons (2004-2010) and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009, losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite sustained regular-season success, playoff disappointment persisted. In 2011, the franchise traded Anthony to the New York Knicks, ending the era and beginning another rebuild.

Post-Anthony Rebuild and the Arrival of Jokić (2011–2018)

Following Anthony’s departure, the Nuggets entered a strategic rebuilding phase under general manager Tim Connelly. The organization emphasized player development, international scouting, and long-term roster construction.

In the 2014 NBA Draft, Denver selected Nikola Jokić from Serbia with the 41st overall pick in the second round. The selection, made during a Taco Bell commercial break on draft night, would become the greatest draft steal in NBA history.

Jokić’s impact was not immediate. He spent his first professional season in Serbia before joining the Nuggets in 2015-16. However, his unique skill set that blended elite passing, scoring versatility, basketball intelligence, and unselfish play all into one unstoppable system gradually established him as a franchise cornerstone.

In June 2015, Michael Malone was hired as head coach. Malone’s player development focus and offensive system maximized Jokić’s talents. In 2016, Denver drafted Jamal Murray, providing Jokić with a dynamic backcourt partner.

By 2018-19, the Nuggets had returned to prominence. Denver finished 54-28, second in the Western Conference, and advanced to the conference semifinals. Jokić earned his first All-Star selection and All-NBA First Team honor.

The Championship Era (2019–2023)

The 2019-20 season marked the beginning of Denver’s championship-caliber competitiveness. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the season, the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champion Lakers. Jokić’s postseason performance showcased his ability to elevate play in high-stakes situations.

In 2020-21, Jokić won his first NBA MVP Award, becoming the lowest-drafted player in history to earn the honor. He repeated as MVP in 2021-22, joining elite company as a back-to-back winner despite Denver’s injury-plagued roster.

The 2022-23 season delivered the franchise’s ultimate success. Jokić won a third MVP award, and the Nuggets finished 53-29, first in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, Denver lost only four games across four series, sweeping the Lakers in the Conference Finals.

The 2023 NBA Finals matched Denver against the Miami Heat. Jokić delivered historic performances, averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field. In Game 5, he scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, leading Denver to a 94-89 victory and the franchise’s first championship.

Jokić was unanimously named Finals MVP, becoming the lowest-drafted player in history to win the award. He recorded 10 triple-doubles during the 2023 playoffs, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of seven. He became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire postseason in total points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (186).

Post-Championship Challenges (2023–Present)

Following the championship, the Nuggets faced roster and financial challenges. The team lost key contributor Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to free agency and made difficult decisions regarding roster construction due to salary cap constraints.

In the 2023-24 season, Jokić won his third MVP award, tying with players like Moses Malone and Larry Bird. Denver finished 57-25, second in the Western Conference, but fell short in the playoffs, losing to Minnesota in the second round.

On April 8, 2025, the Nuggets made the shocking decision to dismiss Michael Malone after 10 seasons as head coach. Malone had compiled a 419-318 regular-season record (.568 winning percentage) and led the franchise to its only championship. The firing surprised the basketball world and generated significant criticism from fans and media.

Simultaneously, the organization relieved general manager Calvin Booth of his duties. Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace were named co-executives, jointly serving as executive vice president of basketball operations and executive vice president of player personnel, respectively.

On May 22, 2025, Denver hired David Adelman as head coach. Adelman, son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, had spent eight seasons as an assistant coach with Denver before serving as associate head coach. His promotion represented continuity despite the organizational upheaval.

The 2025-26 Season: Injury Challenges and Resilience

The Nuggets entered the 2025 NBA Draft without holding any selections, making them the only team without a pick. This reflected the organization’s win-now mentality and commitment to maximizing Jokić’s prime years.

The 2025-26 season has featured both brilliance and adversity. On Christmas Day 2025, Jokić became the first player in NBA history to record a 55-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist game in an overtime victory against Minnesota. The historic performance showcased his unparalleled versatility.

However, just four days later, Jokić suffered a left knee injury that sidelined him for four weeks. During his absence, the Nuggets struggled to maintain their championship-level play. Jokić returned in early February and immediately made history again, recording his 182nd career triple-double on February 8, 2026, passing Oscar Robertson for second all-time behind Russell Westbrook. 

Ownership and Front Office

The Nuggets are owned by Ann Walton Kroenke through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE). To comply with NFL ownership rules that prohibit majority control of teams in other NFL markets, ownership was transferred from her husband, Stan Kroenke to Ann in 2015. However, Stan Kroenke and son Josh Kroenke maintain operational control.

Stan Kroenke, through KSE, also owns the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, Los Angeles Rams, and Arsenal FC. In January 2026, Kroenke became the largest private landowner in the United States, owning approximately 2.7 million acres after purchasing 937,000 acres in New Mexico.

Josh Kroenke serves as president and governor of the Nuggets, overseeing daily operations. Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace jointly manage basketball operations following Calvin Booth’s departure.

Coaching and Philosophy

David Adelman leads the coaching staff with an offensive philosophy emphasizing ball movement, spacing, and player versatility. His familiarity with the roster from his years as an assistant has facilitated continuity despite the coaching change.

Arena and Facilities

The Nuggets play home games at Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center), a 19,520-seat venue in downtown Denver. Opened in 1999, the arena is owned by KSE and also hosts the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth.

Championships and Historical Record

The Nuggets have won one NBA championship (2023) and two ABA division titles (1970, 1975). The franchise has reached the NBA Finals once (2023) and the Western Conference Finals four times. Denver has made 38 playoff appearances in its 50-year NBA history.

Nikola Jokić’s Legacy

Jokić is an eight-time NBA All-Star with seven All-NBA selections (five first-team) and three MVP awards (2021, 2022, 2024). He represents Serbia nationally, winning silver at the 2016 Olympics and bronze at the 2024 Olympics.

Jokić is second all-time in triple-doubles and holds the record for the fastest triple-double (14 minutes and 33 seconds). He is the only player ever to achieve a 30+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 20+ assists game.