Denver Nuggets is one of the most renowned basketball teams in the NBA. They have been consistently performing at a high level and their success can be attributed to their talented players.
The Denver Nuggets have had a number of great players over the years, and these eight games stand out as some of the best in team history.
1. Game 5 of the 1994 Western Conference First Round: The Nuggets pulled off an incredible comeback against the top-seeded Utah Jazz, rallying from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to take a game most thought was impossible to win. Dikembe Mutombo starred for Denver with 30 points and 11 rebounds as they won 92–88.
2. Game 4 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals: Seeking to even their series against Los Angeles Lakers, Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high 41 points while Chauncey Billups added another 20 as the Nuggets defeated the defending champions 120–101.
3. Game 5 of the 1977 Western Conference Semifinals: The Nuggets beat Seattle SuperSonics 115–113 in double overtime, with David Thompson scoring an incredible 33 points in just 48 minutes, setting the record for most points scored in a single game by a Denver player.
4. Game 6 of the 1985 Western Conference Semifinals: During this epic first-round matchup against Dallas Mavericks, Kiki Vandeweghe put up 37 points and 10 rebounds, including a key three-pointer with five seconds left to seal the win for Denver 98–94.
5. Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference First Round: Trailing 0–2 in their series against the New Orleans Hornets, Chauncey Billups led Denver to a 100–97 victory with an all-around performance of 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
6. Game 4 of the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals: In this contest against Portland Trail Blazers, Nikola Jokic had a career-high 43 points as he almost single-handedly carried his team to a 137–140 overtime win, capped off by an incredible 30ft shot at the buzzer.
7. Game 6 of the 2009 Western Conference First Round: Despite being down 3–2 in their first playoff series together, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin combined for 74 points as the Nuggets beat New Orleans Hornets 111–93, prompting their famous celebration dance.
8. Game 4 of the 2020 Western Conference First Round: Down 0–3 to Utah Jazz, Jamal Murray scored a franchise playoff record 50 points in a thrilling 119–107 win, leading Denver to become just the fourth team in NBA history to come back from being down 3–0 in a series.
These eight games demonstrate the incredible talent and spirit of the Denver Nuggets over more than four decades of excellent play. From David Thompson’s record-breaking 1985 performance to Nikola Jokic’s buzzer beater heroics in 2019, Denver has always been able to bring an exciting brand of basketball that has delighted fans around the world.
No matter the obstacle, Denver Nuggets has shown that they can overcome any challenge and put up a fight with some of the most memorable performances in NBA history. With an exciting roster of players, this team is sure to continue their legacy for years to come. With these eight greatest games as evidence, there’s no doubt that Denver Nuggets are one of the top teams in basketball today.