1997–98 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Denver Nuggets 1998 11 71 Midwest 7 14 Bill Hanzlik Allan Bristow Mike D'Antoni Dan Issel McNichols Sports Arena Did not qualify DEN KWGN-TV Fox Sports Rocky Mountain KKFN The 1997–98 Denver Nuggets season was the 22nd season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 31st season as a franchise. Denver Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Nuggets received the fifth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected power forward Tony Battie out of Texas Tech University; the team also acquired Johnny Newman, Joe Wolf, and rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Danny Fortson out of the University of Cincinnati from the Milwaukee Bucks on draft day. Wise Mike After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show The New York Times June 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/26/sports/after-duncan-utah-forward-steals-show.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7002-story.html October 22, 2022 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the Nuggets acquired Eric Williams from the Boston Celtics, Gardner Kris Celtics Trade Williams to Denver The Houston Roundball Review August 21, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/082297ewilliamsdealt.html October 3, 2022 Celtics Send Eric Williams to Nuggets Tampa Bay Times August 22, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/08/22/celtics-send-eric-williams-to-nuggets/?outputType=amp January 15, 2022 Greenberg Alan One of Pitino's Slick Moves Hartford Courant October 23, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-23-9710230482-story.html December 27, 2022 acquired rookie point guard, and first-round draft pick Bobby Jackson out of the University of Minnesota from the Seattle SuperSonics, Gardner Kris Archive: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses: 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals The Houston Roundball Review June 25, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/062597draftdaydeals.html September 25, 2023 acquired rookie shooting guard, and second-round draft pick Eric Washington out of the University of Alabama from the Orlando Magic, and signed free agent and second-year center Dean Garrett. Staff and Wire Reports The Denver Nuggets Continued Their Massive Rebuilding... Los Angeles Times September 6, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-06-sp-29518-story.html December 27, 2022 Harding Jim Garrett Latest Addition to New-Look Nuggets Chicago Tribune September 7, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-07-9709070255-story.html June 27, 2022 Kurkjian Tim No. 5: Denver Nuggets Sports Illustrated Vault November 10, 1997 https://vault.si.com/.amp/vault/1997/11/10/no5-denver-nuggets September 25, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20210417113807/https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/11/10/no5-denver-nuggets April 17, 2021 dead The team also hired former Nuggets player Bill Hanzlik as their new head coach. Associated Press Nuggets Set to Hire Hanzlik Los Angeles Times May 29, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-29-sp-63511-story.html December 27, 2022 Associated Press Denver Hires Former Player to Lead Team The Spokesman-Review May 30, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/may/30/denver-hires-former-player-to-lead-team/ April 22, 2023 Regular season Under Hanzlik and despite the addition of Williams, Garrett, Jackson, Battie and Fortson, the Nuggets set numerous unwanted records during this season, which started off with the team losing their first twelve games of the regular season. Kings 97, Nuggets 93 United Press International November 26, 1997 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/11/26/Kings-97-Nuggets-93/9355880520400/ July 12, 2022 Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings Box Score, November 25, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199711250SAC.html June 6, 2026 Williams suffered a devastating knee injury after only just four games, and was out for the remainder of the season, averaging 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, Associated Press Nuggets' Williams Is Out Los Angeles Times November 10, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-10-sp-52400-story.html July 2, 2021 Associated Press NBA: Nuggets Rocked by Bad News: Eric Williams Out for Season The Seattle Times November 10, 1997 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19971110&slug=2571554 October 3, 2022 Tacoma News Tribune Sonics Not Looking Past Tarnished Nuggets The Spokesman-Review November 22, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/nov/22/sonics-not-looking-past-tarnished-nuggets/ December 27, 2022 while Bryant Stith only played just 31 games due to ankle and foot injuries. Johnson Dave Losses, Injuries Numb Stith's Zest for the Game Daily Press July 5, 1999 https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19990705-1999-07-05-9907050020-story.html October 3, 2022 After 40 games and a dreadful 23-game losing streak, which was tied with the 1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies, the Nuggets had a 2–38 record (.050 in winning percentage), a mark equalled only by the 1993–94 Dallas Mavericks. Associated Press N.B.A.: Last Night: Denver Ties Record for Futility in N.B.A. The New York Times January 24, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/24/sports/nba-last-night-denver-ties-record-for-futility-in-nba.html January 15, 2022 Associated Press At 23, Nuggets Almost Loss Leaders Los Angeles Times January 24, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-24-sp-11747-story.html September 17, 2022 Suns 93, Nuggets 77 The Washington Post January 24, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/01/24/suns-93-nuggets-77/8c99bcb5-2590-4b14-ab78-1833e92decf0/ June 7, 2022 With the team holding a 4–42 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 July 20, 2022 General Manager Allan Bristow was fired. Associated Press Bristow Fired by 4-42 Nuggets Los Angeles Times February 6, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-06-sp-16161-story.html June 7, 2022 Thompson Jack Issel Gets Task of Rebuilding Nuggets Chicago Tribune March 26, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-03-26-9803260389-story.html December 27, 2022 At mid-season, the Nuggets signed free agent Cory Alexander, who was previously released by the San Antonio Spurs. Associated Press Transactions The Free Lance-Star March 5, 1998 B4 https://books.google.com/books?id=YTQzAAAAIBAJ&dq=1998+denver+nuggets+signed+guard+cory+alexander&pg=PA9&article_id=4665,467785 November 1, 2024 Associated Press Ex-U.Va. Star Salvages Nuggets Season The Free Lance-Star April 11, 1998 B10 https://books.google.com/books?id=UTMzAAAAIBAJ&dq=1998+denver+nuggets+signed+guard+cory+alexander&pg=PA14&article_id=2448,2568958 November 1, 2024 CBS News.com Staff D'Antoni New Skipper in Denver CBS News September 22, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dantoni-new-skipper-in-denver/#app December 27, 2022 The team later on posted a 16-game losing streak between February and March, before finally avoiding a possibility of the worst-ever NBA record against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 1998. Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Box Score, March 27, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199803270DEN.html June 6, 2026 The Nuggets finished in last place in the Midwest Division with the league's worst record at 11–71, which was also the team's worst record in franchise history. 1997–98 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1998_games.html June 28, 2021 Their eleven wins equaled the third-fewest in an 82-game NBA season along with the 1992–93 Dallas Mavericks, and just like the Mavericks were for a long time viewed as likely to beat the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers record of winning only nine games in a full season, and the 2015–16 76ers, who only won just ten games. Incidentally, the NFL's Denver Broncos had won the Super Bowl earlier in 1998 and would go towards the Super Bowl again in the same year when this occurred."Nuggets Falter Again: Lose 87–75"; in Rocky Mountain News; December 24, 1997"Warriors Pound Nuggets 81–69; Wizards Win 97–95"; in Point Pleasant Register; December 27, 1997; p. 5 Newman played a sixth man role off the bench, leading the Nuggets in scoring with 14.7 points per game, while LaPhonso Ellis averaged 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and Alexander provided the team with 14.0 points, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 23 games. In addition, Jackson contributed 11.6 points, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Fortson provided with 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Anthony Goldwire contributed 9.2 points and 3.4 assists per game, and Battie averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Garrett averaged 7.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, Washington contributed 7.7 points per game, and Stith contributed 7.6 points per game. 1997–98 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1998.html June 28, 2021 The Nuggets had the worst team defensive rating in the NBA.https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense/?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=1997-98&SeasonType=Regular%20Season Teams Defense NBA.com April 17, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Jackson and Fortson were both selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as members of the Western Conference Rookie team. Jackson scored 15 points along with 7 assists and 4 steals, despite the Western Conference losing to the Eastern Conference, 85–80. Associated Press 1998 NBA Rookie Game Roster Times-Union February 6, 1998 4B https://books.google.com/books?id=2aQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=NBA+rookie+game+roster+1998&article_id=5656,907211&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi85_eY9eCPAxVT1fACHWPLIaEQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=NBA%20rookie%20game%20roster%201998&f=false September 19, 2025 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998_rookie.html September 19, 2025 The Nuggets finished 28th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 380,590 at the McNichols Sports Arena during the regular season, which was the second-lowest in the league. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath The unfortunate season meant Hanzlik was fired after a single season in charge of the team. Mitchell Don Denver Nuggets Fire Coach Hanzlik Associated Press April 20, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/b76ddd12c62df34dacb1c640bd771acf April 22, 2023 Associated Press Nuggets Quickly Oust Hanzlik Los Angeles Times April 21, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-21-sp-41550-story.html June 7, 2022 Associated Press Hanzlik Axed After Dismal Season CBS News April 21, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hanzlik-axed-after-dismal-season/#app July 2, 2021 Following the season, Ellis signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks after six seasons with the Nuggets, Jorgensen Loren Fans Enjoy Scrimmage, Jazz Win That One, But Pursuit of LaPhonso Ellis Is Still Up in Air Deseret News January 26, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/1/26/19427148/fans-enjoy-scrimmage-br-jazz-win-that-one-but-pursuit-of-laphonso-ellis-is-still-up-in-air October 18, 2022 Hawks to Sign LaPhonso Ellis United Press International January 30, 1999 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/01/30/Hawks-to-sign-LaPhonso-Ellis/6747917672400/ October 14, 2021 Associated Press Ellis Leaves Jazz to Sign With Hawks The Item January 31, 1999 6B https://books.google.com/books?id=FVYlAAAAIBAJ&dq=1999+atlanta+hawks+signed+forward+LaPhonso+ellis&pg=PA11&article_id=6767,6936205 November 1, 2024 while Newman re-signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cavaliers Sign Free Agent Newman Associated Press January 24, 1999 https://apnews.com/article/499fcda4fa654492b448f320f9784ee7 September 17, 2022 and Garrett and Jackson were both traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Battie was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day, CBS News.com Staff Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 CBS News June 24, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-pick-olowokandi-no-1/ July 2, 2023 Associated Press Van Exel Act Gets Him Exiled to the Nuggets Deseret News June 25, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/6/25/19387762/van-exel-act-gets-him-exiled-to-the-nuggets December 5, 2022 who then traded him to the Boston Celtics several months later, Knight's Out Hartford Courant January 20, 1999 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1999-01-20-9901200298-story.html September 17, 2022 and Goldwire and Wolf were both released to free agency. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 In his 2007 study The NBA from Top to Bottom, basketball enthusiast Kyle Wright argued that in fact the 1997–98 Nuggets were a worse team than the 1972–73 76ers, saying that they played a worse schedule in the Midwest Division than the 1972–73 76ers did in their Atlantic Division where a dominant Boston Celtics team was played seven times by the 76ers.Wright, Kyle; The NBA from Top to Bottom: A History of the NBA from the No. 1 Team to the No. 1,153; pp. 80-87. 9780595697960 In contrast, Wright says, "the Nuggets got to play the 62–20 Utah Jazz only four times". Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 5 Tony Battie PF/C United States Texas Tech 2 33 James Cotton SG United States Long Beach State 2 42 Jason Lawson C United States Villanova Roster Denver Nuggets 1997–98 #002147 #CBA135 #A50021 #FFFFFF 7 Cory Alexander G 6 1 185 1973–06–22 Virginia 4 Tony Battie F/C 6 11 230 1976–02–11 Texas Tech 3 Harold Ellis basketball G/F 6 5 200 1970–10–07 Morehouse 20 LaPhonso Ellis F 6 8 240 1970–05–05 Notre Dame 15 Danny Fortson F 6 7 260 1976–03–27 Cincinnati 21 Dean Garrett C 6 10 225 1966–11–27 Indiana 5 Anthony Goldwire G 6 1 182 1971–09–06 Houston 13 Bobby Jackson basketball G 6 1 185 1973–03–13 Minnesota 30 Priest Lauderdale C 7 4 325 1973–08–31 Central State 22 Johnny Newman G/F 6 7 190 1963–11–28 Richmond 23 Bryant Stith G 6 5 208 1970–12–10 Virginia 14 Eric Washington basketball G 6 4 190 1974–03–23 Alabama 32 Eric Williams basketball, born 1972 F 6 8 220 1972–07–17 Providence yes 17 Joe Wolf F/C 6 11 230 1964–12–17 North Carolina yes Bill Hanzlik Mike D'Antoni T. R. Dunn Brian Winters https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1998.html March 13, 1998 Regular season Season standings DEN DEN z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Denver Nuggets 1998 #002147 #C39953 9 32 2 39 Denver Nuggets October no yes yes #990000 #FFFFFF 0 1 0 0 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 1 || October 31 || San Antonio Spurs || 96–107 || McNichols Sports Arena || 0–1 Denver Nuggets November no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 1 4 0 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 2 || November 1 || @ Utah Jazz || 84–102 || Delta Center || 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 3 || November 4 || Washington Wizards || 96–120 || McNichols Sports Arena || 0–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 4 || November 7 || Utah Jazz || 89–91 || McNichols Sports Arena || 0–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 5 || November 11 || @ New York Knicks || 90–93 || Madison Square Garden || 0–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 6 || November 12 || @ Boston Celtics || 86–96 || Fleet Center || 0–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 7 || November 14 || @ Orlando Magic || 85–103 || Orlando Arena || 0–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 8 || November 15 || @ Miami Heat || 93–96 || Miami Arena || 0–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 9 || November 18 || Vancouver Grizzlies || 87–100 || McNichols Sports Arena || 0–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 10 || November 21 || @ Vancouver Grizzlies || 96–99 || General Motors Place || 0–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 11 || November 22 || Seattle SuperSonics || 80–84 || McNichols Sports Arena || 0–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 12 || November 25 || @ Sacramento Kings || 93–97 || ARCO Arena || 0–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || November 28 || Minnesota Timberwolves || 95–84 || McNichols Sports Arena || 1–12 Denver Nuggets December no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 1 7 0 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 14 || December 2 || @ Houston Rockets || 101–112 || The Summit || 1–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 15 || December 3 || Los Angeles Lakers || 89–107 || McNichols Sports Arena || 1–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 16 || December 5 || Indiana Pacers || 85–96 || McNichols Sports Arena || 1–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || December 7 || Los Angeles Clippers || 100–92 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 18 || December 9 || @ Detroit Pistons || 83–92 || The Palace of Auburn Hills || 2–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 19 || December 10 || @ Cleveland Cavaliers || 106–119 || Gund Arena || 2–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 20 || December 12 || @ Phoenix Suns || 81–102 || America West Arena || 2–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 21 || December 13 || @ New Jersey || 95–133 || Continental Airlines Arena || 2–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 22 || December 16 || San Antonio Spurs || 85–99 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 23 || December 18 || @ Seattle SuperSonics || 106–119 || KeyArena || 2–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 24 || December 20 || Phoenix Suns || 81–102 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 25 || December 23 || @ Golden State Warriors || 75–87 || The Arena in Oakland || 2–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 26 || December 26 || Golden State Warriors || 120–131 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 27 || December 27 || @ Los Angeles Clippers || 103–105 || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena || 2–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 28 || December 30 || Utah Jazz || 99–132 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–26 Denver Nuggets January no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 1 7 1 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 29 || January 2 || Houston Rockets || 115–116 OT || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 30 || January 3 || @ Minnesota Timberwolves || 87–109 || Target Center || 2–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 31 || January 6 || @ Dallas Mavericks || 90–108 || Reunion Arena || 2–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 32 || January 7 || @ San Antonio Spurs || 89–96 || Alamodome || 2–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 33 || January 9 || Miami Heat || 79–98 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 34 || January 13 || Orlando Magic || 84–98 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 35 || January 14 || @ Los Angeles Lakers || 114–132 || Great Western Forum || 2–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 36 || January 16 || Cleveland Cavaliers || 74–99 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 37 || January 18 || @ Portland Trail Blazers || 82–94 || Rose Garden Arena || 2–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 38 || January 20 || @ Vancouver Grizzlies || 77–88 || General Motors Place || 2–36 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 39 || January 21 || Detroit Pistons || 67–87 || McNichols Sports Arena || 2–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 40 || January 23 || @ Phoenix Suns || 77–93 || America West Arena || 2–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || January 24 || @ Los Angeles Clippers || 99–81 || Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena || 3–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 42 || January 27 || New Jersey Nets || 87–120 || McNichols Sports Arena || 3–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 43 || January 29 || Toronto Raptors || 80–84 || McNichols Sports Arena || 3–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || January 31 || Dallas Mavericks || 110–98 || McNichols Sports Arena || 4–40 Denver Nuggets February no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 1 6 0 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 45 || February 2 || Chicago Bulls || 72–111 || McNichols Sports Arena || 4–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 46 || February 4 || Sacramento Kings || 99–101 || McNichols Sports Arena || 4–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 47 || February 10 || Boston Celtics || 112–99 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 48 || February 12 || @ Sacramento Kings || 84–87 || ARCO Arena || 5–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 49 || February 13 || Minnesota Timberwolves || 80–107 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 50 || February 15 || @ Portland Trail Blazers || 82–117 || Rose Garden Arena || 5–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 51 || February 17 || New York Knicks || 77–91 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 52 || February 19 || @ Los Angeles Lakers || 114–132 || Great Western Forum || 5–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 53 || February 20 || @ Golden State Warriors || 88–95 || The Arena in Oakland || 5–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 54 || February 22 || @ Seattle SuperSonics || 68–88 || KeyArena || 5–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 55 || February 23 || Charlotte Hornets || 98–118 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 56 || February 25 || Atlanta Hawks || 88–112 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–51 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 57 || February 27 || Philadelphia 76ers || 78–79 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–52 Denver Nuggets March no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 3 4 1 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 58 || March 1 || @ Indiana Pacers || 63–90 || Market Square Arena || 5–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 59 || March 3 || @ Chicago Bulls || 90–118 || United Center || 5–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 60 || March 5 || @ Milwaukee Bucks || 87–104 || Bradley Center || 5–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 61 || March 6 || @ Atlanta Hawks || 94–115 || Alexander Memorial Coliseum || 5–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 62 || March 8 || Los Angeles Clippers || 89–100 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 63 || March 10 || Phoenix Suns || 106–104 || McNichols Sports Arena || 5–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 64 || March 12 || Vancouver Grizzlies || 98–93 || McNichols Sports Arena || 6–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 || March 14 || Portland Trail Blazers || 92–82 || McNichols Sports Arena || 7–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 66 || March 16 || Charlotte Hornets || 87–109 || Charlotte Coliseum || 7–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67 || March 17 || @ Washington Wizards || 90–89 || MCI Center || 8–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 68 || March 19 || @ Toronto Raptors || 103–104 OT || SkyDome || 8–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 69 || March 20 || @ Minnesota Timberwolves || 88–104 || Target Center || 8–61 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 70 || March 23 || Los Angeles Lakers || 86–107 || McNichols Sports Arena || 8–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 71 || March 25 || Dallas Mavericks || 94–105 || McNichols Sports Arena || 8–63 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 72 || March 27 || Golden State Warriors || 97–89 || McNichols Sports Arena || 9–63 Denver Nuggets April no yes #990000 #FFFFFF 2 3 0 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 73 || April 1 || Milwaukee Bucks || 100–106 || McNichols Sports Arena || 9–64 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 74 || April 3 || @ Utah Jazz || 75–97 || Delta Center || 9–65 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 75 || April 5 || Seattle SuperSonics || 83–87 || McNichols Sports Arena || 9–66 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 76 || April 7 || Houston Rockets || 87–104 || McNichols Sports Arena || 9–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 77 || April 9 || Sacramento Kings || 128–103 || McNichols Sports Arena || 10–67 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 78 || April 11 || @ Dallas Mavericks || 81–99 || Reunion Arena || 10–68 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 79 || April 14 || @ Houston Rockets || 88–94 || The Summit || 10–69 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 80 || April 15 || @ Phoenix Suns || 89–96 || America West Arena || 10–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 81 || April 17 || Portland Trail Blazers || 109–101 || McNichols Sports Arena || 11–70 |- align="center" bgcolor="edbebf" | 82 || April 19 || @ San Antonio Spurs || 82–96 || Alamodome || 11–71 |- DEN 1998 Player statistics Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Dean Garrett 82 82 32.1 .428 N/A .648 7.9 1.1 0.7 1.6 7.3 Anthony Goldwire 82 32 27.0 .423 .384 .806 1.8 3.4 1.0 0.1 9.2 Danny Fortson 80 23 22.6 .452 .333 .776 5.6 1.0 0.6 0.4 10.2 LaPhonso Ellis 76 71 33.9 .407 .284 .805 7.2 2.8 0.9 0.6 14.3 Johnny Newman 74 15 29.4 .431 .343 .820 1.9 1.9 1.0 0.3 14.7 Bobby Jackson 68 53 30.0 .392 .259 .814 4.4 4.7 1.5 0.2 11.6 Eric Washington 66 36 23.3 .404 .321 .783 1.9 1.2 0.8 0.4 7.7 Tony Battie 65 49 23.2 .446 .214 .702 5.4 0.9 0.8 1.1 8.4 Joe Wolf 57 8 10.9 .331 .200 .500 2.6 0.5 0.4 0.1 1.5 Priest Lauderdale 39 0 8.8 .417 N/A .551 2.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 3.7 Bryant Stith 31 15 23.2 .333 .208 .872 2.1 1.6 0.7 0.3 7.6 Kiwane Garris 28 0 8.0 .338 .357 .760 0.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 2.4 Harold Ellis 27 3 12.7 .559 .000 .635 1.9 0.7 0.7 0.1 6.1 Cory Alexander 23 19 34.7 .435 .411 .846 4.3 6.0 2.0 0.3 14.0 George Zidek 6 0 7.0 .267 N/A .833 2.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 3.0 Eric Williams 4 4 36.3 .393 N/A .689 5.3 3.0 1.0 0.0 19.8 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Bobby Jackson, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team References 2 See also 1997–98 NBA season Category:Denver Nuggets seasons Category:1997 in sports in Colorado Category:1998 in sports in Colorado Denver Nug