411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1985–86 Denver Nuggets season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
NBA professional basketball team season
August 2023
March 2026
Denver Nuggets 1986 47 35 Midwest 2 3 Doug Moe McNichols Sports Arena KWGN-TV KOA West Conference Semi-finals(lost to Rockets 2–4) DENNovember 2021The 1985–86 Denver Nuggets season was the Nuggets' 10th season in the NBA and 19th season as a franchise.1985-86 Denver Nuggets
In the playoffs, the Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in four games in the First Round before losing to the eventual Western Conference Champion Houston Rockets in six games in the Semi-finals.
Draft picks
1985 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 15 Blair Rasmussen C United States Oregon 2 43 Barry Stevens SG United States Iowa State 4 89 Pete Williams F United States Arizona 5 112 Kenny Brown United States Texas A&M 6 135 Joe Carrabino United States Harvard 7 158 Eddie Smith United States Arizona
Roster
Denver Nuggets 1985-86 #2C3292 #EFE328 #DC143C #FFFFFF
42 Wayne Cooper basketball C 6 10 195 New Orleans
23 T.R. Dunn SG 6 4 192 Alabama
2 Alex English SF 6 7 190 South Carolina
5 Mike Evans basketball G 6 1 170 Kansas State
24 Bill Hanzlik PF 6 7 185 Notre Dame
12 Fat Lever G 6 3 170 Arizona State
33 Calvin Natt PF 6 6 220 Louisiana-Monroe
41 Blair Rasmussen C 7 0 250 Oregon
34 Danny Schayes C 6 11 235 Syracuse
20 Elston Turner SF 6 5 190 Mississippi
10 Willie White basketball SG 6 3 195 Chattanooga
31 Pete Williams basketball PF 6 7 190 Arizona
USA Doug Moe
Regular season
Season standings
DEN
DEN
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
Denver Nuggets 1986 #0000CD #FFD700 Total: 47–35 (home: 34–7; road: 13–28)
Denver Nuggets October yes #FFD700 #0000CD 2 0 2 0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| October 25, 1985
| @ Golden State
| W 122–114
|
|
|
| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| October 26, 1985
| Sacramento
| W 123–112
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| October 29, 1985
| @ Phoenix
| W 142–127
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 3–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| October 31, 1985
| Seattle
| W 90–73
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 4–0
Denver Nuggets November #FFD700 #0000CD 7 2 1 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 5
| November 5, 19857:30p.m. MST
| Atlanta
| W 128–113
| English (33)
| Schayes (8)
| English, Hanzlik, Lever (6)
| McNichols Sports Arena8,691
| 5–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| November 7, 1985
| Dallas
| W 131–99
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 6–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 7
| November 8, 1985
| @ L.A. Lakers
| L 99–128
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 6–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 8
| November 12, 1985
| @ Houston
| L 119–127
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 6–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 9
| November 14, 1985
| San Antonio
| W 112–109
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 7–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 10
| November 16, 1985
| L.A. Clippers
| W 113–109
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 8–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 11
| November 19, 1985
| Houston
| W 127–113
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 9–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 12
| November 21, 1985
| L.A. Lakers
| W 121–120
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 10–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 13
| November 23, 1985
| Sacramento
| W 122–118
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 11–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 14
| November 24, 1985
| @ Seattle
| L 84–110
|
|
|
| Seattle Center Coliseum
| 11–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 15
| November 26, 1985
| Chicago
| L 123–128
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 11–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 16
| November 27, 1985
| @ Golden State
| L 102–104
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 11–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 17
| November 29, 1985
| @ Utah
| W 129–114
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 12–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 18
| November 30, 1985
| Seattle
| L 123–131 (2OT)
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 12–6
Denver Nuggets December #FFD700 #0000CD 5 1 2 5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 19
| December 3, 1985
| @ New York
| L 94–111
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 12–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 20
| December 4, 1985
| @ Indiana
| W 119–105
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 13–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 21
| December 6, 1985
| @ Philadelphia
| W 123–121
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 14–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 22
| December 7, 1985
| @ Cleveland
| L 114–124
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 14–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 23
| December 11, 1985
| L.A. Clippers
| W 134–95
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 15–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 24
| December 13, 1985
| L.A. Lakers
| W 124–120
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 16–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 25
| December 14, 1985
| @ Dallas
| L 100–127
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 16–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 26
| December 17, 1985
| Golden State
| W 122–114
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 17–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 27
| December 19, 1985
| Portland
| W 123–118
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 18–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 28
| December 21, 1985
| San Antonio
| L 118–128
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 18–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 29
| December 22, 1985
| @ Portland
| L 114–121
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 18–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 30
| December 28, 1985
| @ San Antonio
| L 112–116
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 18–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 31
| December 30, 1985
| Houston
| W 125–122
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 19–12
Denver Nuggets January #FFD700 #0000CD 6 1 2 7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 32
| January 3, 1986
| @ Seattle
| L 107–117
|
|
|
| Seattle Center Coliseum
| 19–13
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 33
| January 4, 1986
| @ Sacramento
| L 107–112
|
|
|
| ARCO Arena
| 19–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 34
| January 7, 1986
| Dallas
| W 132–110
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 20–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 35
| January 9, 1986
| Seattle
| W 94–90
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 21–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 36
| January 11, 1986
| Utah
| W 114–106
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 22–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 37
| January 13, 1986
| @ Milwaukee
| W 119–115
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 23–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 38
| January 15, 1986
| @ Boston
| L 100–123
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 23–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 39
| January 17, 1986
| @ Detroit
| L 113–129
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 23–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 40
| January 18, 1986
| @ New Jersey
| L 113–124
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 23–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 41
| January 21, 1986
| @ Utah
| L 114–117 (OT)
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 23–18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 42
| January 22, 1986
| New Jersey
| W 137–124
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 23–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 43
| January 24, 1986
| San Antonio
| L 98–113
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 24–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 44
| January 25, 1986
| @ L.A. Lakers
| W 127–115
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 25–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 45
| January 27, 1986
| Cleveland
| W 124–103
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 26–19
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 46
| January 28, 1986
| @ Sacramento
| L 120–125
|
|
|
| ARCO Arena
| 26–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 47
| January 30, 1986
| New York
| W 102–97
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 27–20
Denver Nuggets February #FFD700 #0000CD 7 0 2 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 48
| February 1, 1986
| Milwaukee
| W 116–113
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 28–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 49
| February 3, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 102–104
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 28–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 50
| February 4, 1986
| Portland
| W 119–118
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 29–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 51
| February 6, 1986
| @ San Antonio
| W 100–95
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 30–21
|- align="center"
|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 52
| February 12, 1986
| @ Dallas
| L 110–117
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 30–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 53
| February 14, 1986
| @ Phoenix
| L 95–112
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 30–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 54
| February 15, 1986
| Golden State
| W 113–100
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 31–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 55
| February 18, 1986
| Washington
| W 101–90
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 32–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 56
| February 20, 1986
| Boston
| W 102–100
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 33–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 57
| February 22, 1986
| Dallas
| W 113–106
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 34–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 58
| February 24, 1986
| @ Portland
| W 119–113
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 35–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 59
| February 25, 1986
| Phoenix
| W 112–99
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 36–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 60
| February 27, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 111–117
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 36–24
Denver Nuggets March #FFD700 #0000CD 6 2 2 5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 61
| March 1, 1986
| Philadelphia
| L 107–118
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 36–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 62
| March 4, 1986
| Houston
| W 128–115
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 37–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 63
| March 7, 1986
| Indiana
| W 134–117
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 38–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 64
| March 9, 1986
| @ L.A. Clippers
| W 123–121
|
|
|
| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
| 39–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 65
| March 11, 19865:30p.m. MST
| @ Atlanta
| L 116–128
| English (38)
| English (9)
| Evans (5)
| The Omni8,905
| 39–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 66
| March 13, 1986
| @ Chicago
| L 102–112
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 39–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 67
| March 14, 1986
| @ Washington
| W 101–91
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 40–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 68
| March 16, 1986
| Sacramento
| W 119–113
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 41–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 69
| March 18, 1986
| @ Sacramento
| L 113–117
|
|
|
| ARCO Arena
| 41–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 70
| March 19, 1986
| Detroit
| W 114–98
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 42–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 71
| March 21, 1986
| L.A. Clippers
| W 115–104
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 43–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 72
| March 23, 1986
| @ Golden State
| L 111–113
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 43–29
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 73
| March 25, 1986
| L.A. Lakers
| L 115–121
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 43–30
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 74
| March 26, 1986
| @ Utah
| L 101–116
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 43–31
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 75
| March 28, 1986
| Utah
| W 128–120
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 44–31
Denver Nuggets April #FFD700 #0000CD 1 1 2 3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 76
| April 1, 1986
| @ Portland
| L 110–127
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 44–32
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 77
| April 3, 1986
| @ Dallas
| L 114–115
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 44–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 78
| April 6, 1986
| @ San Antonio
| W 124–106
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 45–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 79
| April 7, 1986
| @ Phoenix
| W 131–123
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 46–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 80
| April 9, 1986
| @ L.A. Clippers
| L 127–132
|
|
|
| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
| 46–34
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 81
| April 10, 1986
| Phoenix
| W 115–113
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 47–34
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 82
| April 12, 1986
| Utah
| L 99–117
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 47–35
DEN 1986
Playoffs
Denver Nuggets 1986 yes #0000CD #FFD700
Denver Nuggets First round no yes yes #FFD700 #0000CD 1 1 2 0
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| April 18, 1986
| Portland
| W 133–126
| Calvin Natt (40)
| Danny Schayes (11)
| English, Lever (9)
| McNichols Sports Arena13,209
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| April 20, 1986
| Portland
| L 106–108
| Alex English (24)
| Blair Rasmussen (9)
| Alex English (10)
| McNichols Sports Arena11,724
| 1–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| April 22, 1986
| @ Portland
| W 115–104
| Blair Rasmussen (15)
| Calvin Natt (11)
| Fat Lever (5)
| Memorial Coliseum12,666
| 2–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| April 24, 1986
| @ Portland
| W 116–112
| Fat Lever (30)
| T. R. Dunn (11)
| Alex English (8)
| Memorial Coliseum12,666
| 3–1
|-
Denver Nuggets Conference Semi-finals no yes #FFD700 #0000CD 2 1 0 3
|-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| April 26, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 119–126
| Alex English (34)
| Schayes, Natt (7)
| English, Lever (9)
| The Summit15,448
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| April 29, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 101–119
| Blair Rasmussen (18)
| Wayne Cooper (9)
| Mike Evans (7)
| The Summit16,016
| 0–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| May 2, 1986
| Houston
| W 116–115
| Alex English (33)
| Danny Schayes (8)
| Alex English (5)
| McNichols Sports Arena17,022
| 1–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| May 4, 1986
| Houston
| W 114–111 (OT)
| Alex English (28)
| Wayne Cooper (9)
| Turner, Hanzlik (5)
| McNichols Sports Arena14,152
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| May 6, 1986
| @ Houston
| L 103–131
| Alex English (27)
| Blair Rasmussen (12)
| Fat Lever (4)
| The Summit16,016
| 2–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 6
| May 8, 1986
| Houston
| L 122–126 (2OT)
| Alex English (42)
| Danny Schayes (14)
| Fat Lever (7)
| McNichols Sports Arena17,022
| 2–4
|-
DEN 1986 yes
Player statistics
Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Awards and records
Alex English, All-NBA Second Team
Bill Hanzlik, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
References
See also
1985–86 NBA season
Category:Denver Nuggets seasons
Den
Denver Nugget
Denver Nugget