The 1988-89 Denver Nuggets had a challenging NBA season, finishing with a 44-38 record. Despite their struggles, they managed to secure a playoff spot as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The team was led by head coach Doug Moe and featured standout performances from players like Alex English and Fat Lever, who contributed significantly to their offensive strategy. English averaged 26.5 points per game, while Lever provided versatility with averages of 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.
In the playoffs, the Nuggets faced the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round. Unfortunately, they were unable to advance, losing the series 3-0. Despite the early exit, the season was notable for Moe’s continued implementation of a fast-paced, high-scoring offense, which became a hallmark of the Nuggets during that era. The 1988-89 season highlighted the team’s competitive spirit but also underscored areas needing improvement for future success.
- Regular Season Record: 44-38
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 0-3
Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1988-89 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Alex English | 82 | 26.5 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 3 | 26.0 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Fat Lever | 71 | 19.8 | 9.3 | 7.9 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 34.8 | 2 | 11.0 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 66.7 |
| Michael Adams | 77 | 18.5 | 3.7 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 35.6 | 2 | 23.5 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 45.5 |
| Walter Davis | 81 | 15.6 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 29.0 | 3 | 25.7 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Schayes | 76 | 12.8 | 6.6 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 33.4 | 2 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Blair Rasmussen | 77 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wayne Cooper | 79 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 25.1 | 3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Jay Vincent | 5 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 50.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave Greenwood | 29 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Darwin Cook | 30 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 20.0 | 3 | 10.3 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Bill Hanzlik | 41 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 20.0 | 3 | 12.7 | 6.7 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 50.0 |
| Jerome Lane | 54 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Calvin Natt | 14 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Elston Turner | 78 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 28.5 | 3 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eddie Hughes | 26 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 31.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wayne Engelstad | 11 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Denver Nuggets in the 1989 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Phoenix Suns
In the 1989 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced a formidable challenge in the first round against the Phoenix Suns. The Nuggets, led by Alex English, struggled to keep pace with the high-flying Suns, resulting in a swift exit as they were swept 3-0 in the best-of-five series. The series highlighted Denver's defensive vulnerabilities against Phoenix's potent offense, marking a disappointing end to their season.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 104-103 | |
| Apr 30, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 132-114 | |
| May 02, 1989 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 130-121 |
Denver Nuggets 1988-89 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1988-89 season for the Denver Nuggets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1988 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 120-117 | |
| Nov 05, 1988 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 142-141 | |
| Nov 09, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 128-110 | |
| Nov 10, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 135-115 | |
| Nov 12, 1988 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 141-129 | |
| Nov 13, 1988 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 143-132 | |
| Nov 15, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 148-146 | |
| Nov 17, 1988 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 139-112 | |
| Nov 19, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 134-107 | |
| Nov 22, 1988 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 141-106 | |
| Nov 23, 1988 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 125-106 | |
| Nov 26, 1988 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 128-123 | |
| Nov 29, 1988 | vs. New York Knicks | W 139-119 | |
| Dec 01, 1988 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 133-126 | |
| Dec 02, 1988 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 129-102 | |
| Dec 04, 1988 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 122-103 | |
| Dec 06, 1988 | @ New York Knicks | L 124-123 | |
| Dec 07, 1988 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 134-109 | |
| Dec 09, 1988 | @ Miami Heat | W 121-110 | |
| Dec 10, 1988 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 133-130 | |
| Dec 13, 1988 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 126-101 | |
| Dec 16, 1988 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 121-118 | |
| Dec 17, 1988 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 114-99 | |
| Dec 20, 1988 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 127-124 | |
| Dec 22, 1988 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 126-118 | |
| Dec 23, 1988 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 119-107 | |
| Dec 27, 1988 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 130-109 | |
| Dec 30, 1988 | vs. Miami Heat | W 109-83 | |
| Jan 03, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 129-105 | |
| Jan 05, 1989 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 131-129 | |
| Jan 07, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 115-94 | |
| Jan 10, 1989 | @ Washington Bullets | L 120-117 | |
| Jan 11, 1989 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-106 | |
| Jan 13, 1989 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1989 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 116-104 | |
| Jan 16, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 116-110 | |
| Jan 18, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 102-92 | |
| Jan 21, 1989 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-107 | |
| Jan 23, 1989 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 117-102 | |
| Jan 24, 1989 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-115 | |
| Jan 26, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | W 129-108 | |
| Jan 28, 1989 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 142-138 | |
| Jan 30, 1989 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 126-100 | |
| Jan 31, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 117-111 | |
| Feb 02, 1989 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 112-103 | |
| Feb 04, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 127-126 | |
| Feb 05, 1989 | @ Houston Rockets | L 124-112 | |
| Feb 09, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 117-92 | |
| Feb 14, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 119-105 | |
| Feb 15, 1989 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 117-106 | |
| Feb 17, 1989 | @ Houston Rockets | L 121-111 | |
| Feb 20, 1989 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 103-101 | |
| Feb 22, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 109-106 | |
| Feb 24, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 121-102 | |
| Feb 26, 1989 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 122-115 | |
| Feb 27, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 141-132 | |
| Mar 02, 1989 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 113-103 | |
| Mar 04, 1989 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 106-89 | |
| Mar 06, 1989 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 129-112 | |
| Mar 08, 1989 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 112-99 | |
| Mar 10, 1989 | @ Miami Heat | L 131-130 | |
| Mar 12, 1989 | @ Boston Celtics | L 121-115 | |
| Mar 14, 1989 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 125-102 | |
| Mar 16, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 119-102 | |
| Mar 18, 1989 | vs. Miami Heat | W 111-105 | |
| Mar 21, 1989 | @ Houston Rockets | W 112-110 | |
| Mar 24, 1989 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 114-105 | |
| Mar 25, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 112-90 | |
| Mar 27, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 119-118 | |
| Mar 30, 1989 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 123-116 | |
| Apr 01, 1989 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 114-108 | |
| Apr 04, 1989 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 128-124 | |
| Apr 06, 1989 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 132-118 | |
| Apr 08, 1989 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 110-106 | |
| Apr 09, 1989 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 120-114 | |
| Apr 12, 1989 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-102 | |
| Apr 13, 1989 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 121-112 | |
| Apr 15, 1989 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 125-92 | |
| Apr 18, 1989 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 142-118 | |
| Apr 20, 1989 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 136-113 | |
| Apr 21, 1989 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 139-121 | |
| Apr 23, 1989 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 113-96 |