1989–90 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Denver Nuggets 1990 43 39 Midwest 4 7 Doug Moe McNichols Sports Arena KTVDKMGH-TVPrime Sports Rocky Mountain KOA West First Round(lost to Spurs 0–3) DEN The 1989–90 Denver Nuggets season was the 14th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 23rd 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 1989 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Todd Lichti out of Stanford University. 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html July 5, 2025 Regular season The Nuggets got off to a fast start by winning 11 of their first 15 games of the regular season, which included a seven-game winning streak between November and December. The team got off to a solid 19–9 start to the season, but then lost 10 of their next 14 games, and held a 26–20 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1990 November 23, 2022 At mid-season, the team acquired former All-Star center Joe Barry Carroll from the New Jersey Nets. Goldaper Sam Knicks Trade Strickland to Spurs for Cheeks The New York Times February 22, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/22/sports/knicks-trade-strickland-to-spurs-for-cheeks.html November 23, 2022 Associated Press NBA Wednesday's Trades: Cheeks Dealt for Strickland; Carroll to Nuggets Los Angeles Times February 22, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-22-sp-1768-story.html November 23, 2022 The Nuggets played below .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, and finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a 43–39 record, earning the seventh seed in the Western Conference; 1989–90 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1990_games.html December 9, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. Fat Lever averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while Alex English averaged 17.9 points per game, and sixth man Walter Davis provided the team with 17.5 points per game off the bench. In addition, Michael Adams contributed 15.5 points, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and led the league with 158 three-point field goals, while Blair Rasmussen provided with 12.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Danny Schayes averaged 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Lichti contributed 8.0 points per game, Bill Hanzlik averaged 6.2 points per game, Tim Kempton provided with 5.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Jerome Lane averaged 5.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. 1989–90 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1990.html December 14, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Lever was selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his final All-Star appearance. Howard-Cooper Scott NBA All-Star Game: Entire Family Is Back Together...Almost Los Angeles Times February 11, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-11-sp-1107-story.html November 23, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1990 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1990 November 15, 2023 1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1990.html December 9, 2021 English was not selected for the NBA All-Star Game this season, as his statistics had decreased compared to the previous season; he also clashed with head coach Doug Moe over his reduced role during the regular season. In Plain English: Alex Not a Happy Nugget  Chicago Tribune  December 5, 1989  https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/12/05/in-plain-english-alex-not-a-happy-nugget/ April 23, 2026 English Fractured by Reduced Role  Orlando Sentinel  December 22, 1989  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1989/12/22/english-fractured-by-reduced-role/ April 23, 2026 The Nuggets finished 24th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 484,288 at the McNichols Sports Arena during the regular season, which was the fourth-lowest in the league. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 24, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Nuggets faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion San Antonio Spurs, who were led by All-Star center, and Rookie of the Year, David Robinson, All-Star forward Terry Cummings, and second-year star Willie Anderson. The Nuggets lost the first two games to the Spurs on the road at the HemisFair Arena, before losing Game 3 at home, 131–120 at the McNichols Sports Arena, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Hafner Dan Portland Victory Could Prove Costly: NBA Playoffs: Trail Blazers Win at Dallas, But Williams and Duckworth Are Injured. The Pistons and Spurs Also Sweep Their Series Los Angeles Times May 2, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-05-02-sp-329-story.html September 20, 2022 Spurs 131, Nuggets 120 United Press International May 2, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/02/Spurs-131-Nuggets-120/5633641620800/ December 9, 2021 1990 NBA Western Conference First Round: Nuggets vs. Spurs Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1990-nba-western-conference-first-round-nuggets-vs-spurs.html April 9, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, an era came to an end as Moe was fired as head coach, Sports People: Pro Basketball: Doug Moe Dismissed as Coach of Nuggets The New York Times September 7, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/07/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-doug-moe-dismissed-as-coach-of-nuggets.html November 23, 2022 Moe Fired as Nuggets Coach United Press International September 6, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/09/06/Moe-fired-as-Nuggets-coach/6600652593600/ November 23, 2022 while English signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks, Associated Press Mavericks Will Sign Alex English to Make Up for the Loss of Perkins Los Angeles Times August 15, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-15-sp-711-story.html November 23, 2022 Mavericks Sign English to One-Year Deal United Press International August 15, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/08/15/Mavericks-sign-English-to-one-year-deal/6330650692800/ November 23, 2022 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Mavericks Sign English The New York Times August 16, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/16/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-mavericks-sign-english.html December 15, 2021 Lever was traded to the Mavericks, Sports People: Pro Basketball: Nuggets Trade Lever to Dallas for 2 Picks The New York Times June 22, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/22/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-nuggets-trade-lever-to-dallas-for-2-picks.html December 15, 2021 Associated Press Mavericks Get Lever for a Pair of No. 1 Picks: NBA: Nuggets Receive the Ninth Selection in Next Wednesday's Draft, and a First-Round Choice in 1991 Los Angeles Times June 22, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-22-sp-238-story.html November 23, 2022 Mavericks Trade Two First-Round Draft Choices to Nuggets for Lever United Press International June 21, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/06/21/Mavericks-trade-two-first-round-draft-choices-to-Nuggets-for-Lever/2391645940800/ November 23, 2022 Schayes was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, Associated Press A Trading Flurry Uncapped in NBA: Basketball: Ainge Goes to Portland, Schayes to Milwaukee, Pressey to San Antonio, Bol to Philadelphia After Salary Cap Raised by Nearly $2 Million Los Angeles Times August 2, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-02-sp-1396-story.html?_amp=true January 19, 2022 Hente Karl As Salary Cap Rises, Players Fly Around NBA The Washington Post August 2, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/08/02/as-salary-cap-rises-players-fly-around-nba/95fad02d-0ad3-41df-b07a-f2f7f60f69dc/ November 23, 2022 and Barry Carroll was released to free agency. Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 15 Todd Lichti SG Stanford 2 42 Michael Cutright SG McNeese State 2 47 Reginald Turner SF Alabama-Birmingham Roster Denver Nuggets 1989–90 #2C3292 #EFE328 #DC143C #FFFFFF 14 Michael Adams basketball G 5 10 162 1963–01–19 Boston College 11 Joe Barry Carroll C 7 0 225 1958–07–24 Purdue 6 Walter Davis basketball F/G 6 6 193 1954–09–09 North Carolina 23 T.R. Dunn G 6 4 190 1955–02–01 Alabama 2 Alex English F 6 7 190 1954–01–05 South Carolina 24 Bill Hanzlik F 6 7 185 1957–12–06 Notre Dame 45 Tim Kempton F 6 10 245 1964–01–25 Notre Dame 35 Jerome Lane F 6 6 230 1966–12–04 Pittsburgh 12 Fat Lever G 6 3 170 1960–08–18 Arizona State 21 Todd Lichti G 6 4 205 1967–01–08 Stanford 41 Blair Rasmussen C 7 0 250 1962–11–13 Oregon 34 Danny Schayes C 6 11 235 1959–05–10 Syracuse Doug Moe Allan Bristow Doug Moe Jr. Roster notes Point guard Eddie Hughes was waived on March 22, 1990. Regular season Season standings DEN DEN z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Denver Nuggets 1990 yes #0000CD #FFD700 Denver Nuggets First round no yes yes #FFD700 #0000CD 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 26 | @ San Antonio | L 103–119 | Todd Lichti (22) | Todd Lichti (13) | Lichti, Adams (8) | HemisFair Arena15,910 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 28 | @ San Antonio | L 120–129 | Fat Lever (26) | Fat Lever (16) | Fat Lever (9) | HemisFair Arena15,910 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 1 | San Antonio | L 120–131 | Alex English (24) | Lever, Rasmussen (10) | Fat Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena15,604 | 0–3 |- DEN 1990 yes Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGMichael Adams basketball 79 74 34.1 .402 .366 .850 2.8 6.3 1.5 .0 15.5Joe Barry Carroll† 30 27 24.0 .432 .743 6.4 1.8 .9 2.0 11.9Walter Davis basketball 69 0 23.7 .481 .130 .912 2.6 2.2 .9 .1 17.5T. R. Dunn 65 2 10.1 .454 .000 .667 2.1 .7 .6 .1 1.8Alex English 80 80 27.6 .491 .400 .880 3.6 2.8 .6 .3 17.9Bill Hanzlik 81 0 19.8 .452 .194 .743 2.6 2.3 1.0 .4 6.2Mike Higgins basketball† 5 0 6.4 .375 .875 .6 .4 .2 .0 2.6Eddie Hughes basketball 60 7 14.9 .411 .408 .676 1.2 1.9 .8 .0 3.5Tim Kempton 71 14 14.9 .490 .000 .675 3.1 1.7 .4 .1 5.4Jerome Lane 67 46 14.3 .469 .000 .367 5.4 1.6 .8 .3 5.0Fat Lever 79 79 35.8 .443 .414 .804 9.3 6.5 2.1 .2 18.3Todd Lichti 79 4 16.8 .486 .000 .747 1.9 1.5 .7 .2 8.0Blair Rasmussen 81 55 24.6 .497 .000 .828 7.3 1.0 .5 1.3 12.4Danny Schayes 53 22 22.5 .494 .000 .852 6.5 1.2 .8 .8 10.4 Playoffs Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPGMichael Adams basketball 3 3 35.0 .382 .300 .875 2.0 6.0 1.3 .0 13.0Joe Barry Carroll 3 3 15.3 .563 1.000 3.0 1.0 .3 1.7 6.7Walter Davis basketball 3 0 23.3 .400 .000 1.000 3.0 2.0 .3 .0 14.0T. R. Dunn 3 0 10.3 2.3 .7 1.3 .3 .0Alex English 3 3 25.3 .568 .818 3.0 3.0 .7 .3 19.7Bill Hanzlik 3 0 26.3 .294 .333 1.000 3.3 3.7 1.7 .7 7.0Tim Kempton 3 1 10.7 .778 1.000 1.7 1.3 .0 .0 6.0Jerome Lane 2 2 7.0 .000 .500 .5 1.0 .0 .0 .5Fat Lever 3 3 37.7 .373 .143 .929 10.7 7.0 2.7 .3 17.3Todd Lichti 3 0 23.3 .517 .000 .737 6.0 3.0 .3 .0 14.7Blair Rasmussen 3 0 28.0 .396 .900 8.7 .3 .7 1.3 15.7 Player statistics citation: Awards and records The Nuggets would win the 1990 McDonald's Open after winning games against Italy's Philips Milano and Yugoslavia's Jugoplastika. Transactions January 2011 References See also 1989-90 NBA season Category:Denver Nuggets seasons Category:1989 in sports in Colorado Category:1990 in sports in Colorado Denver