1995–96 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Denver Nuggets 1996 35 47 Midwest 4 9 Bernie Bickerstaff Bernie Bickerstaff Bernie Bickerstaff McNichols Sports Arena Did not qualify DEN KWGN-TV Prime Sports Rocky Mountain KOA The 1995–96 Denver Nuggets season was the 20th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 29th season as a franchise. Denver Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Nuggets had the 15th overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Brent Barry out of Oregon State University, but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Antonio McDyess from the University of Alabama. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board The New York Times June 29, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-underclassmen-rule-atop-nba-draft-board.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way Los Angeles Times June 29, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18377-story.html June 3, 2023 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html June 3, 2023 During the off-season, the team acquired Don MacLean and Doug Overton from the Washington Bullets. Associated Press Pro Basketball: The Bullets Pick Up Pack The New York Times October 31, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/pro-basketball-the-bullets-pick-up-pack.html January 18, 2022 Justice Richard MacLean, Overton Traded The Washington Post October 31, 1995 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/10/31/maclean-overton-traded/aeacfd89-8eec-45f7-a99f-1b98317a4a82/ January 8, 2023 Regular season Despite the addition of McDyess and MacLean, the Nuggets struggled by losing eight of their first nine games of the regular season, as LaPhonso Ellis missed the first 37 games due to a knee injury. Associated Press Mourning Returns and Heat Beats Nuggets Los Angeles Times January 7, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-07-sp-21910-story.html October 22, 2022 Heat 88, Nuggets 86 Tampa Bay Times January 7, 1996 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/01/07/heat-88-nuggets-86/ June 27, 2022 Despite the slow start, the Nuggets soon recovered and won eight of their next nine games, leading to a 9–9 start to the season. However, the team soon fell below .500 in winning percentage, later on posting a six-game losing streak in January, and holding a 20–27 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1996 July 18, 2022 In March, the Nuggets found themselves in the middle of an ugly controversy, as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf refused to stand for the Star-Spangled Banner, protesting what he felt was the country's poor treatment to Muslims in the world; he was then suspended for one game by the league. Hodges Jim NBA Sits Abdul-Rauf for Stance on Anthem Los Angeles Times March 13, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-13-sp-46409-story.html July 24, 2022 Diamos Jason Pro Basketball: Abdul-Rauf Vows Not to Back Down from N.B.A. The New York Times March 14, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/14/sports/pro-basketball-abdul-rauf-vows-not-to-back-down-from-nba.html January 14, 2022 Reilly Rick Patriot Games: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Caused an Uproar When He Sat Out the National Anthem Sports Illustrated Vault March 25, 1996 https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/03/25/patriot-games-mahmoud-abdul-rauf-caused-an-uproar-when-he-sat-out-the-national-anthem April 6, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20201204152138/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/03/25/patriot-games-mahmoud-abdul-rauf-caused-an-uproar-when-he-sat-out-the-national-anthem December 4, 2020 dead After his suspension, Abdul-Rauf agreed to stand and pray during the anthem by closing his eyes, and holding his hands out in front of his face with his head down. Hodges Jim Abdul-Rauf Will Stand, and Pray Los Angeles Times March 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-15-sp-47420-story.html July 25, 2022 However, the damage was done, and his reputation could not be repaired, as he was the consistent target of boos from fans, Denlinger Ken Abdul-Rauf Returns, Rises for Occasion The Washington Post March 16, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/03/16/abdul-rauf-returns-rises-for-occasion/03534883-3f43-4a2b-9be7-ed403e6f12cf/ January 8, 2023 Associated Press Fans Cheer Anthem, Boo Mahmoud Deseret News March 16, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/16/19230960/fans-cheer-anthem-boo-mahmoud January 8, 2023 Diamos Jason Pro Basketball: Abdul-Rauf Is Calm in Face of Controversy The New York Times March 21, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/21/sports/pro-basketball-abdul-rauf-is-calm-in-face-of-controversy.html December 2, 2016 before missing the remainder of the season due to ankle, and foot injuries after playing 57 games. Abdul-Rauf to Miss 2 Games with Injury United Press International March 22, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/03/22/Abdul-Rauf-to-miss-2-games-with-injury/1977827470800/ January 8, 2023 Abdul-Rauf on Injured List, Will Miss at Least 5 Games Deseret News March 29, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/29/19233488/abdul-rauf-on-injured-list-will-miss-at-least-5-games January 8, 2023 Smith Sam Rising Heat Good for Bulls Chicago Tribune April 1, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-04-01-9604010060-story.html October 4, 2022 The Nuggets finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a 35–47 record, and failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs. 1995–96 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1996_games.html June 22, 2021 Abdul-Rauf averaged 19.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, and also contributed 121 three-point field goals, while Dale Ellis averaged 14.9 points per game and led the Nuggets with 150 three-point field goals, and McDyess provided the team with 13.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Dikembe Mutombo provided with 11.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game, while Bryant Stith contributed 13.6 points and 1.4 steals per game, MacLean provided with 11.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, and LaPhonso Ellis averaged 10.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, second-year guard Jalen Rose contributed 10.0 points and 6.2 assists per game, Tom Hammonds averaged 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, and Reggie Williams contributed 4.6 points per game. 1995–96 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1996.html June 22, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Mutombo was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team, Heisler Mark NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes Los Angeles Times February 11, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-11-sp-34849-story.html January 2, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1996 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1996 May 16, 2023 1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996.html November 27, 2021 while McDyess was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. Pro Basketball The Gainesville Sun February 10, 1996 15 https://books.google.com/books?id=n0RWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=1996+nba+rookie+game+stoudamire+stackhouse+wallace+henderson&article_id=3767,2375962&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSk6WGtuCPAxVxmYkEHfeFOUcQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=1996%20nba%20rookie%20game%20stoudamire%20stackhouse%20wallace%20henderson&f=false September 18, 2025 1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996_rookie.html September 18, 2025 Mutombo also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Associated Press N.B.A. Playoffs: Payton Honored for Defense The New York Times May 7, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/07/sports/nba-playoffs-payton-honored-for-defense.html July 25, 2022 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 2, 2022 The Nuggets finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 675,425 at the McNichols Sports Arena during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Sacramento Kings, Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf to Sacramento United Press International June 13, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/13/Nuggets-trade-Abdul-Rauf-to-Sacramento/2840834638400/ December 1, 2022 Associated Press Pro Basketball: Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson The New York Times June 14, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/14/sports/pro-basketball-nuggets-trade-abdul-rauf-acquire-pacers-jackson.html July 31, 2021 Associated Press In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded Los Angeles Times June 14, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-14-sp-14898-story.html July 18, 2022 while Mutombo signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks after five seasons with the Nuggets. Associated Press Hawks Get Big with Mutombo Los Angeles Times July 16, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-16-sp-24645-story.html?_amp=true July 24, 2017 Asher Mark Mutombo Heading to Hawks The Washington Post July 16, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/16/mutombo-heading-to-hawks/6f1396c6-10bb-4e02-8a89-7191e3b62120/ July 10, 2022 Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long Tampa Bay Times July 16, 1996 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/16/hawks-sign-mutombo-trade-augmon-long/ June 20, 2023 Meanwhile, Rose and Williams were both traded to the Indiana Pacers, Pacers Trade Jackson, Pierce to Denver United Press International June 13, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/13/Pacers-trade-Jackson-Pierce-to-Denver/6531834638400/ July 31, 2021 and MacLean and Overton both signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Sixers Sign Free Agent Don MacLean United Press International July 16, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/16/Sixers-sign-free-agent-Don-MacLean/6123837489600/ June 28, 2022 Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 15 Brent Barry (traded to LA Clippers) Shooting guard United States Oregon State 2 44 Anthony Pelle Center United States Fresno State Roster Denver Nuggets 1995–96 #002147 #CBA135 #A50021 #FFFFFF 1 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf G 6 1 162 1969–03–09 LSU yes 8 Rastko Cvetković C 7 1 260 1970–06–22 Serbia yes 3 Dale Ellis F 6 7 205 1960–08–06 Tennessee 20 LaPhonso Ellis F 6 8 240 1970–05–05 Notre Dame 50 Matt Fish C 6 11 235 1969–11–18 UNC Wilmington 9 Greg Grant basketball, born 1966 G 5 7 140 1966–08–29 Trenton State 21 Tom Hammonds F 6 9 215 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech 7 Don MacLean basketball F 6 10 235 1970–01–16 UCLA 24 Antonio McDyess F 6 9 220 1974–09–07 Alabama 55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7 2 245 1966–06–25 Georgetown 11 Doug Overton G 6 3 190 1969–08–03 La Salle 5 Jalen Rose G 6 8 210 1973–01–30 Michigan 23 Bryant Stith G 6 5 208 1970–12–10 Virginia 34 Reggie Williams basketball, born 1964 F 6 7 190 1964–03–05 Georgetown Bernie Bickerstaff Bob Kloppenburg Gene Littles https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1996.html March 29, 1996 Regular season Season standings DEN DEN Game log yes October 2020 Game Date Opponent Result Nuggets points Opponents Record Streak OT 1 November 3 @ LA Lakers Loss 96 98 0-1 Lost 1 2 November 4 San Antonio Loss 108 116 0-2 Lost 2 3 November 7 @ Golden State Loss 93 98 0-3 Lost 3 4 November 8 Seattle Loss 117 122 0-4 Lost 4 5 November 10 @ Utah Loss 86 109 0-5 Lost 5 6 November 12 @ LA Clippers Loss 103 108 0-6 Lost 6 7 November 15 @ Phoenix Win 137 127 1-6 Won 1 3OT 8 November 17 New York Loss 94 103 1-7 Lost 1 9 November 18 @ Houston Loss 97 101 1-8 Lost 2 10 November 21 Atlanta Win 107 99 2-8 Won 1 11 November 24 @ Dallas Win 112 109 3-8 Won 2 OT 12 November 25 Utah Win 94 91 4-8 Won 3 13 November 28 @ Sacramento Loss 85 91 4-9 Lost 1 14 December 2 Minnesota Win 109 105 5-9 Won 1 15 December 4 Detroit Win 85 82 6-9 Won 2 16 December 7 @ Utah Win 124 119 7-9 Won 3 17 December 8 Phoenix Win 103 98 8-9 Won 4 18 December 11 @ Philadelphia Win 104 91 9-9 Won 5 19 December 12 @ Indiana Loss 92 125 9-10 Lost 1 20 December 14 @ New York Win 103 94 10-10 Won 1 21 December 16 @ Atlanta Loss 86 95 10-11 Lost 1 22 December 17 @ Cleveland Loss 79 92 10-12 Lost 2 23 December 20 Golden State Win 109 104 11-12 Won 1 24 December 21 @ San Antonio Loss 96 114 11-13 Lost 1 25 December 23 LA Clippers Loss 92 107 11-14 Lost 2 26 December 26 Dallas Win 114 102 12-14 Won 1 27 December 27 @ Seattle Loss 83 99 12-15 Lost 1 28 December 29 @ Phoenix Loss 92 103 12-16 Lost 2 29 December 30 Philadelphia Win 108 100 13-16 Won 1 30 January 2 Indiana Loss 87 102 13-17 Lost 1 31 January 4 @ Sacramento Loss 96 126 13-18 Lost 2 32 January 6 Miami Loss 86 88 13-19 Lost 3 33 January 7 @ LA Lakers Win 96 93 14-19 Won 1 34 January 10 @ Vancouver Win 91 85 15-19 Won 2 35 January 12 Cleveland Win 90 83 16-19 Won 3 36 January 13 Portland Loss 117 118 16-20 Lost 1 37 January 16 @ Portland Loss 69 87 16-21 Lost 2 38 January 17 Houston Loss 112 120 16-22 Lost 3 39 January 20 Sacramento Loss 110 115 16-23 Lost 4 40 January 24 @ Seattle Loss 79 86 16-24 Lost 5 41 January 25 @ LA Clippers Loss 93 94 16-25 Lost 6 42 January 27 Toronto Win 93 82 17-25 Won 1 43 January 30 @ Minnesota Win 88 86 18-25 Won 2 44 February 1 @ Milwaukee Loss 102 108 18-26 Lost 1 45 February 4 Chicago Win 105 99 19-26 Won 1 46 February 6 LA Lakers Loss 78 99 19-27 Lost 1 47 February 8 LA Clippers Win 115 95 20-27 Won 1 48 February 13 @ Orlando Loss 93 121 20-28 Lost 1 49 February 15 @ Miami Loss 91 97 20-29 Lost 2 50 February 16 @ Charlotte Loss 100 107 20-30 Lost 3 51 February 18 Boston Win 117 93 21-30 Won 1 52 February 22 @ Portland Loss 78 107 21-31 Lost 1 53 February 24 Utah Win 99 90 22-31 Won 1 54 February 27 Washington Win 96 92 23-31 Won 2 55 February 29 Dallas Loss 120 137 23-32 Lost 1 56 March 2 Vancouver Win 108 82 24-32 Won 1 57 March 4 San Antonio Loss 90 101 24-33 Lost 1 58 March 6 @ San Antonio Loss 90 100 24-34 Lost 2 59 March 7 Phoenix Win 103 92 25-34 Won 1 60 March 9 Golden State Win 102 88 26-34 Won 2 61 March 10 New Jersey Loss 88 99 26-35 Lost 1 62 March 12 Orlando Win 110 93 27-35 Won 1 63 March 15 @ Chicago Loss 87 108 27-36 Lost 1 64 March 17 @ Detroit Loss 81 91 27-37 Lost 2 65 March 18 @ Toronto Win 122 114 28-37 Won 1 66 March 21 @ New Jersey Loss 89 97 28-38 Lost 1 67 March 22 @ Boston Loss 98 99 28-39 Lost 2 68 March 24 @ Washington Loss 90 92 28-40 Lost 3 69 March 26 Charlotte Loss 112 119 28-41 Lost 4 2OT 70 March 28 @ Vancouver Win 92 88 29-41 Won 1 71 March 30 Milwaukee Win 98 85 30-41 Won 2 72 April 2 Minnesota Win 86 78 31-41 Won 3 73 April 4 @ Golden State Loss 90 98 31-42 Lost 1 74 April 5 Portland Loss 91 97 31-43 Lost 2 75 April 7 Houston Win 111 105 32-43 Won 1 76 April 9 LA Lakers Win 98 91 33-43 Won 2 77 April 11 @ Houston Loss 109 113 33-44 Lost 1 78 April 14 @ Minnesota Win 98 91 34-44 Won 1 79 April 15 Sacramento Loss 86 90 34-45 Lost 1 80 April 18 @ Dallas Loss 98 132 34-46 Lost 2 81 April 19 Vancouver Loss 78 92 34-47 Lost 3 82 April 21 Seattle Win 99 88 35-47 Won 1 Player statistics Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGMahmoud Abdul-Rauf575335.6.434.392.9302.46.81.10.119.2Dale Ellis815232.4.479.412.7603.91.70.70.114.9Bryant Stith827734.3.416.277.8444.92.91.40.213.6Antonio McDyess767530.0.485.000.6837.51.00.71.513.4Don MacLean56519.8.426.286.7323.71.60.40.111.2Dikembe Mutombo747436.7.499.000.69511.81.50.54.511.0LaPhonso Ellis452828.2.438.182.6017.21.60.80.710.5Jalen Rose803726.7.480.296.6903.36.20.70.510.0Tom Hammonds71414.7.474.7653.10.30.30.24.8Reggie Williams52515.7.370.225.8462.31.40.70.44.6Reggie Slater406.5.545.4001.80.50.30.33.5Doug Overton55011.0.376.308.7271.11.90.20.13.3Matt Fish1607.3.577.5561.10.40.20.42.5Randy Woods809.0.273.2381.0000.81.50.80.12.4Greg Grant10010.9.261.3330.71.40.20.01.4Rastko Cvetkovic1403.4.313.000.0000.80.20.10.10.7Elmore Spencer603.5.0000.70.00.00.00.0 Player statistics citation: Awards, records, and honors Antonio McDyess, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team References Nuggets on Basketball Reference Category:Denver Nuggets seasons Category:1995 in sports in Colorado Category:1996 in sports in Colorado Denver Nug