The 1997-98 Denver Nuggets endured a challenging NBA season, finishing with a record of 11-71, which tied them for the second-worst mark in NBA history at that time. Under head coach Bill Hanzlik, the team struggled significantly on both ends of the floor, ranking last in the league in points scored per game and near the bottom in defensive metrics. The roster was marked by instability and frequent rotations, featuring players like LaPhonso Ellis and Johnny Newman.
Despite the adversity, the season was notable for the emergence of rookie Tony Battie, who showed promise with his defensive capabilities. However, the team’s lack of cohesion and experience was evident throughout the season. The Nuggets’ struggles during this period were part of a larger rebuilding effort, which eventually led to significant changes in the front office and coaching staff in the subsequent years. This difficult season served as a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history, highlighting the need for a strategic overhaul.
- Regular Season Record: 11-71
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1997-98 Season
POINTS
Eric Williams
19.8
REBOUNDS
Dean Garrett
7.9
ASSISTS
Cory Alexander
6.0
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Eric Williams | 4 | 19.8 | 5.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Newman | 74 | 14.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 34.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| LaPhonso Ellis | 76 | 14.3 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 28.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Cory Alexander | 23 | 14.0 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 41.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bobby Jackson | 68 | 11.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 25.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Fortson | 80 | 10.2 | 5.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Goldwire | 82 | 9.2 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 38.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tony Battie | 65 | 8.4 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 21.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eric Washington | 66 | 7.7 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 32.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bryant Stith | 31 | 7.6 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 20.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dean Garrett | 82 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Harold Ellis | 27 | 6.1 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Priest Lauderdale | 39 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| George ZÃdek | 6 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kiwane Lemorris Garris | 28 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 35.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Joe Wolf | 57 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 20.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Denver Nuggets 1997-98 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1997-98 season for the Denver Nuggets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 107-96 | |
| Nov 01, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 102-84 | |
| Nov 04, 1997 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 120-96 | |
| Nov 07, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 91-89 | |
| Nov 11, 1997 | @ New York Knicks | L 93-90 | |
| Nov 12, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-86 | |
| Nov 14, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-85 | |
| Nov 15, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 96-93 | |
| Nov 18, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | L 100-87 | |
| Nov 21, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 99-96 | |
| Nov 22, 1997 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 84-80 | |
| Nov 25, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 97-93 | |
| Nov 28, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 95-84 | |
| Dec 02, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-101 | |
| Dec 03, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 107-89 | |
| Dec 05, 1997 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 96-85 | |
| Dec 07, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-92 | |
| Dec 09, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 92-83 | |
| Dec 10, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-83 | |
| Dec 12, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 106-91 | |
| Dec 13, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 133-95 | |
| Dec 16, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 99-85 | |
| Dec 18, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 119-106 | |
| Dec 20, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 102-81 | |
| Dec 23, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 87-75 | |
| Dec 26, 1997 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 81-69 | |
| Dec 27, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 105-103 | |
| Dec 30, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 132-99 | |
| Jan 02, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 116-115 | |
| Jan 03, 1998 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 109-87 | |
| Jan 06, 1998 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 108-90 | |
| Jan 07, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 96-89 | |
| Jan 09, 1998 | vs. Miami Heat | L 98-79 | |
| Jan 13, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 98-84 | |
| Jan 14, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 132-114 | |
| Jan 16, 1998 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-74 | |
| Jan 18, 1998 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 94-82 | |
| Jan 20, 1998 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 88-77 | |
| Jan 21, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 87-67 | |
| Jan 23, 1998 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 93-77 | |
| Jan 24, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 99-81 | |
| Jan 27, 1998 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 120-87 | |
| Jan 29, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 84-80 | |
| Jan 31, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-98 | |
| Feb 02, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 111-72 | |
| Feb 04, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 101-99 | |
| Feb 10, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 112-99 | |
| Feb 12, 1998 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 87-84 | |
| Feb 13, 1998 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 107-80 | |
| Feb 15, 1998 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 117-82 | |
| Feb 17, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | L 91-77 | |
| Feb 19, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 131-92 | |
| Feb 20, 1998 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 95-88 | |
| Feb 22, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 88-68 | |
| Feb 23, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 118-98 | |
| Feb 25, 1998 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 112-88 | |
| Feb 27, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 79-78 | |
| Mar 01, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 90-63 | |
| Mar 03, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 118-90 | |
| Mar 05, 1998 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-87 | |
| Mar 06, 1998 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 115-94 | |
| Mar 08, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 100-89 | |
| Mar 10, 1998 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 100-76 | |
| Mar 12, 1998 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-93 | |
| Mar 14, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 92-82 | |
| Mar 16, 1998 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 109-87 | |
| Mar 17, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | W 90-89 | |
| Mar 19, 1998 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 104-103 | |
| Mar 20, 1998 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 104-88 | |
| Mar 23, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 107-86 | |
| Mar 25, 1998 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 105-94 | |
| Mar 27, 1998 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 97-89 | |
| Apr 01, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-100 | |
| Apr 03, 1998 | @ Utah Jazz | L 97-75 | |
| Apr 05, 1998 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 87-83 | |
| Apr 07, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 104-87 | |
| Apr 09, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 128-103 | |
| Apr 11, 1998 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 99-81 | |
| Apr 14, 1998 | @ Houston Rockets | L 94-88 | |
| Apr 15, 1998 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 96-89 | |
| Apr 17, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 109-101 | |
| Apr 19, 1998 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 96-82 |