1987–88 Denver Nuggets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Denver Nuggets 1988 yes 54 28 Midwest 1 2 Doug Moe McNichols Sports Arena West Conference semifinals(lost to Mavericks 2–4) DENThe 1987–88 Denver Nuggets season was the 12th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 21st season as a franchise. Denver Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Nuggets acquired Michael Adams, and Jay Vincent from the Washington Bullets, Cotton Anthony Bullets Send Adams, Vincent to Nuggets for Walker, Alarie The Washington Post November 2, 1987 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1987/11/03/bullets-send-adams-vincent-to-nuggets-for-walker-alarie/1785f947-e3de-40be-9866-653b491b52bc/ July 9, 2025 Bullets Trade Vincent, Adams to Nuggets Los Angeles Times November 3, 1987 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-03-sp-18434-story.html July 9, 2025 Bullets Conducting an NBA Yard Sale The Free Lance-Star November 3, 1987 9 https://books.google.com/books?id=-nIQAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5&dq=1987+traded+Denver+Nuggets+Washington+Bullets+adams+walker+vincent+alarie&article_id=5974,267494&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj8uYnfyamOAxVqhYkEHS-oAHsQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=1987%20traded%20Denver%20Nuggets%20Washington%20Bullets%20adams%20walker%20vincent%20alarie&f=false July 9, 2025 and later on sold second-year guard Otis Smith to the Golden State Warriors in December. Transactions The Beaver County Times December 23, 1987 C3 https://books.google.com/books?id=p1gvAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1987+Denver+Nuggets+Otis+Smith+Golden+State+Warriors&article_id=6144,4562511&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy8pOvkrCOAxXyRDABHVeUDxcQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=1987%20Denver%20Nuggets%20Otis%20Smith%20Golden%20State%20Warriors&f=false July 9, 2025 Regular season With the addition of Adams and Vincent, the Nuggets got off to an 8–4 start to the regular season, and later on held a 26–17 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 4, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=2&day=4&year=1988 July 9, 2025 The team posted a 10-game winning streak between March and April, and won 16 of their final 18 games of the season. The Nuggets finished in first place in the Midwest Division with a 54–28 record, and earned the second seed in the Western Conference; 1987–88 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1988_games.html July 9, 2025 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. Head coach Doug Moe was named the NBA Coach of the Year, after leading the Nuggets to a 17-game improvement over the previous season. Associated Press Moe Named NBA Coach of Year Los Angeles Times May 16, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-16-mn-1996-story.html July 9, 2025 Associated Press Nuggets Moe Gets Top Honor The Item May 17, 1988 1B https://books.google.com/books?id=EowxAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7&dq=1988+nba+coach+of+the+year+doug+moe&article_id=1768,3881379&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi2mOOg462OAxXyRDABHVeUDxc4ChDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q&f=false July 9, 2025 NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/coy.html July 9, 2025 Alex English averaged 25.0 points, and 4.7 rebounds and assists per game each, while Fat Lever averaged 18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Vincent played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 15.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Adams provided the team with 13.9 points, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and also led them with 139 three-point field goals, while Danny Schayes provided with 13.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and Blair Rasmussen contributed 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Calvin Natt averaged 9.6 points per game, but only played just 27 games due to a left knee injury, Sports Digest  United Press International  December 30, 1987  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/12/30/Sports-Digest/5393567838800/ April 12, 2026 Sports People: Nuggets' Natt Arrested  The New York Times  January 29, 1988  https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/29/sports/sports-people-nuggets-natt-arrested.html April 12, 2026 Wayne Cooper averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, but only appeared in just 45 games due to a back injury, Yearwood Collins  Suns Rip Nuggets  The Bryan Times  January 12, 1988  14  https://books.google.com/books?id=PrhTAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=1988+Denver+Nuggets+wayne+cooper+back+injury&article_id=3949,924540&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-gLit5eiTAxVX48kDHWwuClUQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Denver%20Nuggets%20wayne%20cooper%20back%20injury&f=false April 12, 2026 Moe Shuns Credit for Nuggets' Surge into Contention  Chicago Tribune  April 11, 1988  https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/04/11/moe-shuns-credit-for-nuggets-surge-into-contention/ April 12, 2026 Bill Hanzlik provided with 4.5 points per game, and defensive guard T.R. Dunn contributed 2.2 points and 1.2 steals per game. 1987–88 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/1988.html July 9, 2025 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, English and Lever were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team. Barnard Bill Today's NBA All-Star Game Will Be Homecoming of Sorts for 3 Players Los Angeles Times February 7, 1988 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-07-sp-41271-story.html July 9, 2025 NBA.com Staff 1988 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1988 July 9, 2025 1988 NBA All-Star Game: East 138, West 133 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1988.html July 9, 2025 Lever finished in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while English finished in eleventh place, and Adams finished tied in 14th place; 1987–88 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1988.html July 9, 2025 Lever also finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Adams finished in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting. The Nuggets finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 520,881 at the McNichols Sports Arena during the regular season. 1987–88 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1988.html February 26, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1988 NBA playoffs, the Nuggets faced off against the 7th–seeded Seattle SuperSonics, a team that featured the trio of Dale Ellis, All-Star forward Xavier McDaniel, and All-Star forward Tom Chambers. The Nuggets took a 2–1 series lead before losing Game 4 to the SuperSonics on the road, 127–117 at the Seattle Center Coliseum. Anstine Dennis  Seattle Forward Derrick McKey Wasted No Time Justifying His...  United Press International  May 6, 1988  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/06/Seattle-forward-Derrick-McKey-wasted-no-time-justifying-his/2593578894400/ June 20, 2026 Wilner Barry  Mavericks Eliminate Rockets  The Hour  May 6, 1988  59  https://books.google.com/books?id=FyVJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30&dq=1988+Seattle+SuperSonics+Denver+Nuggets+127-117&article_id=1099,1181734&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjioqjSnJaVAxUNF1kFHRAVJQ4Q6AF6BAgNEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Seattle%20SuperSonics%20Denver%20Nuggets%20127-117&f=false June 20, 2026 1988 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, May 5, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805050SEA.html June 20, 2026 With the series tied at 2–2, the Nuggets won Game 5 over the SuperSonics at home, 115–96 at the McNichols Sports Arena to win in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press  SuperSonics Go Cold as Nuggets Win Finale, 115-96  The Washington Post  May 8, 1988  https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1988/05/08/supersonics-go-cold-as-nuggets-win-finale-115-96/3c555252-8f0f-4816-911f-7fd92acb8e84/ April 9, 2026 Associated Press  Nuggets Earn Date with Dallas  Lawrence Journal-World  May 8, 1988  5B  https://books.google.com/books?id=k9MzAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1988+Denver+Nuggets+Seattle+SuperSonics+115-96&article_id=7040,2041026&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOv6TxoOGTAxW5lWoFHdruLeEQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=1988%20Denver%20Nuggets%20Seattle%20SuperSonics%20115-96&f=false April 9, 2026 1988 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-western-conference-first-round-supersonics-vs-nuggets.html July 9, 2025 In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded Dallas Mavericks, a team that featured the quartet of All-Star forward Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper and All-Star center James Donaldson. The Nuggets won Game 1 over the Mavericks at the McNichols Sports Arena, 126–115, but then lost Game 2 at home, 112–108 as the Mavericks evened the series. The Nuggets won Game 3 over the Mavericks on the road, 107–105 at the Reunion Arena to take a 2–1 series lead. 1988 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, May 14, 1988 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198805140DAL.html June 30, 2026 However, the Nuggets lost the next three games, including a Game 6 loss to the Mavericks at the Reunion Arena, 108–95, thus losing the series in six games. Associated Press  Mavericks Gain Final; Jazz Ties Series; Mavericks 108, Nuggets 95  The New York Times  May 20, 1988  https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/20/sports/mavericks-gain-final-jazz-ties-series-mavericks-108-nuggets-95.html April 9, 2026 Associated Press  NBA Playoffs: Blackman Puts Out Denver's Lights  Los Angeles Times  May 20, 1988  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-20-sp-3684-story.html April 9, 2026 1988 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Mavericks vs. Nuggets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-western-conference-semifinals-mavericks-vs-nuggets.html July 9, 2025 Aftermath Following the season, Dunn signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns during the next season. Transactions Lawrence Journal-World January 16, 1989 2B https://books.google.com/books?id=ujEyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1989+Phoenix+Suns+signed+tr+dunn+contract&article_id=1296,3160330&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRmbPFnLCOAxXuSDABHdQLBdwQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1989%20Phoenix%20Suns%20signed%20tr%20dunn%20contract&f=false July 9, 2025 Newman Bruce ...Risen Again: Reduced to Ashes by a Drug Scandal, Phoenix Has Regrouped and... Sports Illustrated Vault February 27, 1989 https://vault.si.com/vault/1989/02/27/reduced-to-ashes-by-a-drug-scandal-phoenix-has-regrouped-and-risen-again July 9, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20211026114141/https://vault.si.com/vault/1989/02/27/reduced-to-ashes-by-a-drug-scandal-phoenix-has-regrouped-and-risen-again October 26, 2021 dead Draft picks 1987 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 2 31 Andre Moore PF United StatesAustralia Loyola (IL) 3 54 Tom Schafer United States Iowa State 4 77 David Boone United States Marquette 5 100 Ron Grandison United States New Orleans 6 123 Kelvin Scarborough United States New Mexico 7 146 Rowan Gomes United States Hampton 7 156 Curtis Hunter United States North Carolina Roster Denver Nuggets 1987–88 #2C3292 #EFE328 #DC143C #FFFFFF 14 Michael Adams basketball PG 5 10 162 Boston College 35 Michael Brooks basketball SF 6 7 220 La Salle 42 Wayne Cooper basketball C 6 10 220 New Orleans 23 T.R. Dunn SG 6 4 190 Alabama 2 Alex English SF 6 7 190 South Carolina 5 Mike Evans basketball PG 6 1 170 Kansas State 24 Bill Hanzlik SF 6 7 185 Notre Dame 12 Fat Lever SG 6 3 170 Arizona State 11 Maurice Martin SF 6 6 200 St. Joseph's 33 Calvin Natt PF 6 6 220 Louisiana-Monroe 41 Blair Rasmussen C 7 0 250 Oregon 34 Danny Schayes PF 6 11 235 Syracuse 30 Jay Vincent SF 6 7 220 Michigan State Doug Moe Allan Bristow Regular season Season standings DEN DEN z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Denver Nuggets 1988 #0000CD #FFD700 Total: 54–28 (home: 35–6; road: 19–22) Denver Nuggets November yes #FFD700 #0000CD 6 1 2 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 6 | L.A. Clippers | W 139–93 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | November 7 | @ Golden State | W 103–99 | | | | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | November 10 | @ Sacramento | L 123–134 | | | | ARCO Arena | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | November 12 | Portland | W 126–113 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 14 | Sacramento | W 130–109 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 4–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | November 17, 19877:30p.m. MST | @ Utah | L 110–120 | Lever (18) | Rasmussen (10) | Lever (7) | Salt Palace11,461 | 4–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 18 | Indiana | L 106–117 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 | November 20 | San Antonio | W 156–142 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 5–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 9 | November 21 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 97–91 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 6–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 10 | November 24 | New Jersey | W 132–104 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 7–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 11 | November 27, 19878:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 119–127 | English (27) | Schayes (14) | Adams,Lever (10) | The Forum17,505 | 7–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 12 | November 28, 19877:30p.m. MST | Dallas | W 106–98 | English (25) | Schayes (15) | English (7) | McNichols Sports Arena13,400 | 8–4 Denver Nuggets December #FFD700 #0000CD 5 1 3 6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 13 | December 1 | @ Houston | L 101–106 | | | | The Summit | 8–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | December 2 | Sacramento | W 147–120 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 9–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | December 4, 19877:30p.m. MST | Chicago | W 105–89 | English (21) | Rasmussen (12) | Adams (7) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 10–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | December 5, 19876:30p.m. MST | @ Dallas | L 96–109 | English,Vincent (16) | English,Lever,Rasmussen (5) | Adams,English,Lever (5) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 10–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | December 9, 19875:30p.m. MST | @ Boston | W 124–119 | Adams (31) | Lever (11) | Lever (13) | Boston Garden14,890 | 11–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | December 10 | @ New York | L 97–113 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 11–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 19 | December 12 | @ Philadelphia | W 131–121 | | | | The Spectrum | 12–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 16 | Houston | W 132–113 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 13–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 18 | @ San Antonio | L 114–133 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 13–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 | December 19 | @ Houston | W 121–117 | | | | The Summit | 14–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 22 | Phoenix | W 119–104 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 15–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 23 | @ Golden State | L 117–129 | | | | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 15–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 | December 26 | Seattle | W 115–111 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 16–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 28 | @ Seattle | L 100–108 | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 16–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 29, 19877:30p.m. MST | Utah | L 97–98 | Schayes (27) | English,Lever,Schayes (11) | Lever (6) | McNichols Sports Arena10,621 | 16–11 Denver Nuggets January #FFD700 #0000CD 5 1 3 5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | January 1, 19886:00p.m. MST | @ Washington | W 124–109 | Vincent (33) | Schayes (7) | Adams (10) | Capital Centre5,326 | 17–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | January 2, 19885:30p.m. MST | @ Detroit | W 151–142 | English (34) | Cooper (11) | Lever (13) | Pontiac Silverdome23,746 | 18–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | January 4, 19885:30p.m. MST | @ Cleveland | L 101–122 | Evans (28) | Schayes (8) | English (7) | Richfield Coliseum6,448 | 18–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 31 | January 6 | @ New Jersey | W 98–93 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 19–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | January 7, 19886:30p.m. MST | @ Chicago | L 96–100 | Lever (31) | Lever (16) | Lever (12) | Chicago Stadium17,590 | 19–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 9, 19885:30p.m. MST | @ Atlanta | L 105–113 | English (27) | Rasmussen,Schayes (9) | Lever (6) | The Omni14,986 | 19–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 11 | @ Phoenix | L 115–127 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 19–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 14, 19887:30p.m. MST | Atlanta | W 115–112 | English (27) | Schayes (12) | English,Lever,Vincent (5) | McNichols Sports Arena14,944 | 20–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 36 | January 16 | Golden State | W 115–94 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 21–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 37 | January 18, 19882:00p.m. MST | Detroit | L 116–123 | English (32) | Vincent (11) | English (7) | McNichols Sports Arena13,004 | 21–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 21, 19887:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | W 115–113 | Vincent (23) | Vincent (12) | Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 22–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 22 | @ Portland | L 106–126 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 22–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 28, 19887:30p.m. MST | Milwaukee | W 122–113 | English (24) | Rasmussen (8) | Adams,English,Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena13,911 | 23–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 30 | L.A. Clippers | W 124–106 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 24–17 Denver Nuggets February #FFD700 #0000CD 7 1 2 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | February 3, 19887:30p.m. MST | Dallas | W 115–105 | English (26) | Lever (9) | Adams (9) | McNichols Sports Arena10,667 | 25–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | February 4 | @ San Antonio | W 129–123 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 26–17 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 44 | February 9 | San Antonio | W 136-108 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 27–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | February 11, 19887:30p.m. MST | L.A. Lakers | L 105–120 | English (31) | Rasmussenn (9) | Adams (8) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 27–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | February 12 | @ Portland | L 105–120 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 27–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 47 | February 14, 19887:30p.m. MST | Utah | W 107–93 | English (25) | Lever (15) | Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena9,971 | 28–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 48 | February 17, 19887:30p.m. MST | Boston | W 138–125 | English (37) | Rasmussen (11) | English (11) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 29–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 20 | @ Phoenix | L 108–128 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 29–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 50 | February 22, 19887:30p.m. MST | Washington | W 100–87 | Schayes (21) | Lever (15) | English (8) | McNichols Sports Arena10,553 | 30–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | February 24, 19887:30p.m. MST | @ Utah | W 123–120 | English,Rasmussen (35) | Lever (10) | Lever (16) | Salt Palace12,444 | 31–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 | February 26 | Philadelphia | W 120–104 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 32–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 | February 28 | New York | W 109–100 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 33–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 54 | February 29, 19886:30p.m. MST | @ Dallas | L 96–123 | Schayes (21) | Lever (8) | Adams (8) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 33–21 Denver Nuggets March #FFD700 #0000CD 6 2 6 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | March 2, 19887:30p.m. MST | Cleveland | W 99–81 | Adams (23) | Lever (20) | Lever (12) | McNichols Sports Arena9,178 | 34–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 56 | March 4 | Phoenix | W 116–108 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 35–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 57 | March 5 | @ Seattle | W 115–102 | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 36–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 58 | March 7 | @ Sacramento | L 114–116 (OT) | | | | ARCO Arena | 36–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 59 | March 8 | Houston | L 103–113 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 36–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 11, 19887:00p.m. MST | @ Milwaukee | L 93–132 | Rasmussen (21) | Rasmussen (8) | Adams (7) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 36–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 61 | March 13 | @ Indiana | W 108–100 | | | | Market Square Arena | 37–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 62 | March 14, 19887:30p.m. MST | Utah | L 115–116 | English (27) | Lever (17) | English (8) | McNichols Sports Arena10,172 | 37–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 63 | March 17 | Portland | W 116–115 (OT) | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 38–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 64 | March 18, 19887:30p.m. MST | @ Utah | L 111–118 | Adams (22) | Lever,Rasmussen (11) | Lever (9) | Salt Palace12,444 | 38–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 65 | March 20 | Seattle | W 108–95 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 39–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 66 | March 22 | San Antonio | W 136–109 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 40–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 23 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 118–108 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 41–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 68 | March 25, 19888:30p.m. MST | @ L.A. Lakers | W 120–119 | English (34) | Schayes (9) | Lever (11) | The Forum17,505 | 42–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 26 | @ Golden State | W 131–108 | | | | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 43–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 | March 29 | @ Sacramento | W 107–103 | | | | ARCO Arena | 44–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | March 31 | Sacramento | W 121–111 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 45–26 Denver Nuggets April #FFD700 #0000CD 6 0 3 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | April 2 | Golden State | W 123–107 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 46–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 73 | April 5 | @ Houston | W 110–97 | | | | The Summit | 47–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | April 8 | @ San Antonio | W 129–124 (OT) | | | | HemisFair Arena | 48–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | April 9, 19886:30p.m. MDT | @ Dallas | L 109–135 | Schayes (21) | Brooks (7) | Adams (10) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 48–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 76 | April 11 | @ Phoenix | W 123–119 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 49–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 77 | April 13, 19887:30p.m. MDT | L.A. Lakers | W 120–106 | English (29) | Lever (12) | Adams (9) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 50–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | April 15 | Houston | W 132–125 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 51–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 17, 19882:00p.m. MDT | Dallas | W 133–122 | English (31) | Lever (19) | Lever (13) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 52–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 80 | April 19 | Seattle | W 134–114 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 53–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 81 | April 22 | @ Portland | L 135–141 (OT) | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 53–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 82 | April 23 | L.A. Clippers | W 134–109 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 54–28 DEN 1988 Playoffs Denver Nuggets 1988 yes #0000CD #FFD700 Denver Nuggets First Round no yes yes #FFD700 #0000CD 2 1 1 1 |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 29 | Seattle | W 126–123 | Alex English (28) | Fat Lever (11) | Fat Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 1 | Seattle | L 91–111 | English, Evans (16) | Fat Lever (12) | Michael Adams (5) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 3 | @ Seattle | W 125–114 | Blair Rasmussen (28) | Blair Rasmussen (12) | Adams, Lever (7) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 5 | @ Seattle | L 117–127 | Jay Vincent (28) | Danny Schayes (8) | English, Evans (5) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,250 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | May 7 | Seattle | W 115–96 | Alex English (23) | Jay Vincent (7) | Alex English (7) | McNichols Sports Arena16,040 | 3–2 |- Denver Nuggets Western Conference Semifinals no yes #FFD700 #0000CD 1 2 1 2 |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | May 10, 19887:30p.m. MDT | Dallas | W 126–115 | Lever (30) | Lever (11) | English,Lever (8) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 12, 19888:00p.m. MDT | Dallas | L 108–112 | English,Lever (22) | Schayes (12) | Adams (7) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 14, 19881:30p.m. MDT | @ Dallas | W 107–105 | English (23) | Lever (11) | Lever (12) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 15, 19886:00p.m. MDT | @ Dallas | L 103–124 | English (24) | Cooper (10) | Adams (9) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 17, 19888:00p.m. MDT | Dallas | L 106–110 | Schayes (33) | Schayes (13) | Adams,English (6) | McNichols Sports Arena17,022 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | May 19, 19888:00p.m. MDT | @ Dallas | L 95–108 | English (34) | Schayes (9) | Adams (8) | Reunion Arena17,007 | 2–4 |- DEN 1988 yes Awards and records Doug Moe, NBA Coach of the Year Award Lafayette Lever, NBA All-Defensive Second Team See also 1987–88 NBA season References Category:Denver Nuggets seasons Denver Denver Nugget Denver Nugget