1988–89 Denver Nuggets season explained

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Nuggets' 13th season in the NBA and 22nd season as a franchise.[1] During the off-season, the team signed free agent All-Star guard Walter Davis.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] The Nuggets got off to an 11–4 start to the season, but played below .500 afterwards, as Bill Hanzlik only played just 41 games due to a back injury.[7] [8] [9] At midseason, the team traded Jay Vincent and Calvin Natt to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Dave Greenwood and Darwin Cook,[10] [11] [12] [13] and held a 25–23 record at the All-Star break.[14] Despite losing six of their final eight games, the Nuggets finished third in the Midwest Division with a 44–38 record,[15] while posting a very successful 35–6 home record at McNichols Sports Arena.[16] [17]

Alex English averaged 26.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, and was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, which was his final All-Star appearance,[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] while Fat Lever averaged 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 2.7 steals per game, and Michael Adams provided the team with 18.5 points, 6.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game. In addition, Davis played a sixth man role, and contributed 15.6 points per game off the bench, while Danny Schayes provided with 12.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and Wayne Cooper averaged 6.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.[23]

However, in the playoffs, due to injuries to Lever (thigh bruise), Adams (hamstring), and Schayes (sprained ankle),[24] [25] [26] the Nuggets were swept by the Phoenix Suns in three straight games in the Western Conference First Round.[27] [28] [29] [30] Following the season, Cooper signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers,[31] [32] [33] and Greenwood and Cook were both released to free agency.

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1988 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
1 23 PF/SF Pittsburgh
2 43 F Purdue
2 47 SG Florida
3 66 Memphis

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1988-89 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta– 3–1 4–1 4–2 4–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 6–0 4–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Boston1–3 – 6–0 1–3 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 5–1 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–4
Charlotte1–4 0–6 – 1–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–4 2–4 3–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5
Chicago2–4 3–1 4–1 – 0–6 2–0 1–1 0–6 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 6–0 2–2 3–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1
Cleveland2–4 4–1 4–0 6–0 – 2–0 2–0 3–3 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–3 4–0 2–2 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2
Dallas1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 – 3–3 0–2 1–3 1–5 1–1 3–1 0–4 6–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 5–1 2–2 4–2 1–1
Denver2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–3 – 1–1 3–1 4–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Detroit5–1 3–1 4–0 6–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 – 1–1 1–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–4 4–0 0–4 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–0
Golden State1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 – 1–3 1–1 5–1 2–3 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–4 2–4 2–3 3–1 2–4 2–2 1–1
Houston1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–4 1–1 3–1 – 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 6–0 2–2 2–4 0–2
Indiana1–5 3–2 2–2 2–4 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3
L.A. Clippers0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–5 2–2 1–1 – 1–5 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–5 2–3 3–1 1–4 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 2–0 5–1 – 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3 5–0 5–1 3–1 4–2 1–3 1–1
Miami1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–6 1–5 0–2 0–4 2–4 1–1 3–1 0–4 – 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–4 0–4 1–5 0–2
Milwaukee0–6 2–2 4–0 0–6 3–3 2–0 2–0 4–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 – 4–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New Jersey1–4 1–5 4–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4 – 2–4 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–5
New York2–2 3–3 4–2 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–2 – 2–4 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Philadelphia2–2 3–3 3–3 3–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 0–5 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–3 5–1 4–2 – 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–2
Phoenix1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–2 3–1 1–1 5–1 3–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 2–3 5–1 3–1 4–1 2–2 2–0
Portland1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–2 1–3 0–2 5–1 0–5 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 – 3–3 4–0 2–4 0–4 1–1
Sacramento0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 3–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 1–5 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–3 – 2–2 1–5 1–3 0–2
San Antonio1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 3–3 0–2 1–3 0–6 0–2 1–3 1–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 2–2 – 0–4 1–5 1–1
Seattle1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 4–2 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–4 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 4–2 5–1 4–0 – 3–1 1–1
Utah1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 0–2 2–2 4–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 5–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 5–1 1–3 – 2–0
Washington1–3 4–2 5–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–4 5–1 1–5 2–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 —

Game log

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 28| @ Phoenix| L 103–104| Walter Davis (34)| Fat Lever (12)| Fat Lever (17)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 30| @ Phoenix| L 114–132| Alex English (36)| Michael Adams (12)| English, Cook (6)| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 2| Phoenix| L 121–130| Walter Davis (26)| Elston Turner (7)| Bill Hanzlik (6)| McNichols Sports Arena
12,660| 0–3|-

Player statistics

Playoffs

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1988-89 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats. 2021-11-16. Basketball-Reference.com. en.
  2. News: Sports Digest . United Press International . July 6, 1988 . December 20, 2022.
  3. News: Sports People; Davis Joins Nuggets . The New York Times . July 7, 1988 . February 12, 2022.
  4. News: Bullets Won't Keep Moses Malone; Suns Lose Davis to Nuggets . Los Angeles Times . July 7, 1988 . December 20, 2022.
  5. News: Changing of Guard: Davis In; Evans, Dunn on Way Out of Denver Lineup . Deseret News . July 7, 1988 . December 20, 2022.
  6. News: Goldaper . Sam . N.B.A. '88-'89; League Is Changing, But Lakers Are Still on Top . The New York Times . October 30, 1988 . February 29, 2024.
  7. News: Around the NBA . The Washington Post . November 9, 1988 . December 30, 2022.
  8. News: Hanzlik Re-signs with Nuggets . United Press International . September 25, 1989 . December 30, 2022.
  9. News: Basketball . The Washington Post . October 9, 1990 . April 3, 2023.
  10. News: The Denver Nuggets Traded Veteran Forwards Calvin Natt and... . United Press International . January 26, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  11. News: The Denver Nuggets Traded Forwards Calvin Natt... . Los Angeles Times . January 27, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  12. News: Disgruntled Nuggets Traded for Pair of Spurs . Deseret News . January 27, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  13. News: Around the NBA . The Washington Post . January 27, 1989 . November 4, 2023.
  14. Web site: NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989 . Basketball-Reference . December 6, 2022.
  15. Web site: 1988–89 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. February 12, 2022.
  16. Bock . Hal . NBA Road Warriors Have Difficult Task . The Prescott Courier . April 30, 1989 . 4B . May 14, 2024.
  17. Associated Press . Warriors Have Jazz on the Edge . The Spokesman-Review . May 2, 1989 . May 14, 2024.
  18. News: Robinson . John . Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad . Deseret News . February 1, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
  19. News: McManis . Sam . Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same . Los Angeles Times . February 12, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  20. News: NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights . Sun Sentinel . February 12, 1989 . May 21, 2023.
  21. News: NBA.com Staff . 1989 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 21, 2023.
  22. Web site: 1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134 . Basketball-Reference . February 12, 2022.
  23. Web site: 1988–89 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. February 10, 2022.
  24. News: The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets, Having Dispelled the... . United Press International . April 29, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  25. News: Denver Missing Two Starters . United Press International . May 1, 1989 . December 27, 2022.
  26. Associated Press . Nuggets Limp Into Denver . Boca Raton News . May 2, 1989 . 4D . May 5, 2024.
  27. News: Associated Press . NBA Playoffs Roundup: Knicks Complete Sweep with Overtime Win . Los Angeles Times . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  28. News: Associated Press . Pistons, Knicks, Suns Complete Playoff Sweeps; Bucks Take 2-1 Lead Over Hawks . Deseret News . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  29. News: Suns 130, Nuggets 121 . United Press International . May 3, 1989 . December 6, 2022.
  30. Web site: 1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Suns . Basketball-Reference . March 20, 2023.
  31. News: Associated Press . THE SIDELINES: Wayne Cooper Signs with Blazers . Los Angeles Times . July 24, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  32. News: SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Blazers Sign Cooper . The New York Times . July 25, 1989 . December 20, 2022.
  33. News: Cooper Signs with Trail Blazers . Deseret News . July 25, 1989 . April 3, 2023.

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