Denver Nuggets 1975-76 Roster and Stats

The 1975-76 Denver Nuggets season marked their final campaign in the American Basketball Association (ABA) before the ABA-NBA merger. Under head coach Larry Brown, the Nuggets achieved an impressive 60-24 record, finishing first in the Western Division. The team was led by standout players David Thompson and Dan Issel, who were instrumental in their successful run.

Denver showcased a balanced offensive and defensive approach, with robust team chemistry and solid performances across the roster. The Nuggets advanced to the ABA Finals after defeating the Kentucky Colonels and the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs. However, they fell short in the championship series, losing to the New York Nets in a six-game battle.

Despite the Finals loss, the Nuggets’ strong season positioned them well for their transition to the NBA, where they continued to build on their ABA success. The 1975-76 season remains a significant chapter in the franchise’s history.

Regular Season Record: 62-28
Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-3, Western Conference Semifinals: 2-4

Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1975-76 Season

POINTS

David Thompson

26.0

REBOUNDS

Dan Issel

11.0

ASSISTS

Ralph Simpson

7.0

	Regular Season							Playoffs
Player	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%
David Thompson	83	26.0	6.3	3.6	0.7	0.5	17.6	13	26.4	6.4	3.0	0.4	0.0	100.0
Dan Issel	84	23.0	11.0	2.3	0.3	0.1	50.0	13	20.5	12.0	2.5	0.1	0.1	0.0
Ralph Simpson	84	18.0	5.4	7.0	0.5	0.1	28.6	13	19.8	4.7	5.6	0.4	0.0	100.0
Bobby Jones	83	14.9	9.5	3.8	1.0	1.0	0.0	13	13.7	8.6	4.5	0.2	1.0	0.0
Chuck Williams	79	11.0	2.7	4.6	0.5	0.0	0.0	13	12.6	3.7	3.6	0.0	0.1	50.0
Gus Gerard	60	9.9	5.0	2.0	0.2	0.2	299.4	13	4.6	2.8	0.8	0.3	0.1	0.0
Byron Beck	80	9.6	4.4	1.4	0.1	0.1	62.5	13	8.6	4.6	1.1	0.0	0.0	0.0
Claude Terry	81	7.1	1.9	1.8	0.1	0.0	32.6	12	4.1	1.8	1.4	0.0	0.0	0.0
Jim Bradley	7	4.6	4.3	1.3	0.0	0.6	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Marvin Webster	38	4.3	4.6	0.7	0.0	0.6	0.0	13	4.4	5.5	0.7	0.0	0.2	0.0
Jimmy Foster	48	3.1	0.9	1.0	0.1	0.0	20.0	2	6.5	1.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Monte Towe	64	3.0	0.9	2.1	0.3	0.0	27.3	4	2.5	0.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Roger Brown	35	1.7	2.1	0.5	0.0	0.1	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
George Irvine	3	1.3	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Denver Nuggets in the 1976 NBA Playoffs

Playoffs First Round vs. Kentucky Colonels

In the first round of the 1976 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets, who were part of the ABA at the time, faced the Kentucky Colonels. The Nuggets, led by stars like David Thompson and Dan Issel, showcased their offensive prowess to secure a 4-3 series victory. This win highlighted their competitive edge in the league's final ABA season before the NBA-ABA merger.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Apr 15, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 110-107	Ralph Simpson (24 pts)
Apr 17, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	L 138-110	Dan Issel (24 pts)
Apr 19, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 126-114	David Thompson (29 pts)
Apr 21, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	W 108-106	Ralph Simpson (26 pts)
Apr 22, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 127-117	David Thompson (34 pts)
Apr 25, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 119-115	Ralph Simpson (35 pts)
Apr 28, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 133-110	David Thompson (40 pts)

Playoffs Second Round vs. New York Nets

In the 1976 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced the Kentucky Colonels in the second round, showcasing their strong defensive prowess and team-oriented play. Denver, led by standout performances from players like Dan Issel and David Thompson, managed to outlast the Colonels in a hard-fought series, ultimately advancing to the ABA Finals. This series highlighted the Nuggets' depth and resilience, setting the stage for their competitive spirit in the league's final ABA season.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
May 01, 1976	vs. New York Nets	L 120-118	David Thompson (30 pts)
May 04, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 127-121	Ralph Simpson (25 pts)
May 06, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 117-111	David Thompson (32 pts)
May 08, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 121-112	Dan Issel (26 pts)
May 11, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 118-110	Dan Issel (21 pts)
May 13, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 112-106	David Thompson (42 pts)

Denver Nuggets 1975-76 Regular Season Game Log

Here is the game log for the 1975-76 season for the Denver Nuggets.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Oct 24, 1975	@ San Diego Sails	W 120-108	Ralph Simpson (30 pts)
Oct 25, 1975	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 118-101	David Thompson (33 pts)
Oct 29, 1975	vs. Utah Stars	W 122-117	David Thompson (28 pts)
Oct 31, 1975	@ Indiana Pacers	L 111-99	Dan Issel (26 pts)
Nov 02, 1975	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 106-103	Ralph Simpson (26 pts)
Nov 05, 1975	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 111-98	Dan Issel (33 pts)
Nov 06, 1975	@ Utah Stars	W 111-105	David Thompson (26 pts)
Nov 08, 1975	vs. New York Nets	W 128-121	Dan Issel (26 pts)
Nov 11, 1975	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 126-117	David Thompson (28 pts)
Nov 14, 1975	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 117-111	David Thompson (34 pts)
Nov 19, 1975	@ Spirits of St. Louis	W 119-106	David Thompson (31 pts)
Nov 20, 1975	@ Indiana Pacers	L 117-112	David Thompson (27 pts)
Nov 21, 1975	@ New York Nets	L 128-116	Ralph Simpson (22 pts)
Nov 22, 1975	vs. Virginia Squires	W 144-119	David Thompson (31 pts)
Nov 26, 1975	vs. Kentucky Colonels	L 115-107	David Thompson (31 pts)
Nov 28, 1975	@ San Antonio Spurs	W 140-136	Dan Issel (30 pts)
Nov 29, 1975	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 123-112	David Thompson (37 pts)
Dec 06, 1975	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 126-118	David Thompson (34 pts)
Dec 07, 1975	@ New York Nets	W 123-119	Dan Issel (33 pts)
Dec 10, 1975	@ Spirits of St. Louis	W 146-137	Dan Issel (41 pts)
Dec 11, 1975	@ Virginia Squires	W 111-100	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Dec 12, 1975	@ Virginia Squires	W 110-107	David Thompson (33 pts)
Dec 15, 1975	@ Virginia Squires	W 131-110	David Thompson (21 pts)
Dec 17, 1975	vs. New York Nets	W 106-103	David Thompson (29 pts)
Dec 20, 1975	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 132-121	David Thompson (34 pts)
Dec 21, 1975	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 122-117	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Dec 26, 1975	vs. San Antonio Spurs	L 117-106	Dan Issel (20 pts)
Dec 27, 1975	vs. New York Nets	W 130-113	David Thompson (27 pts)
Dec 28, 1975	@ Indiana Pacers	W 110-105	Dan Issel (29 pts)
Dec 30, 1975	@ Spirits of St. Louis	L 106-104	Bobby Jones (26 pts)
Dec 31, 1975	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 141-137	David Thompson (23 pts)
Jan 02, 1976	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 137-125	David Thompson (30 pts)
Jan 03, 1976	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 126-115	Dan Issel (24 pts)
Jan 05, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 127-120	David Thompson (34 pts)
Jan 07, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 121-118	David Thompson (28 pts)
Jan 09, 1976	vs. Virginia Squires	W 155-128	Jimmy Foster (24 pts)
Jan 12, 1976	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 139-122	David Thompson (33 pts)
Jan 13, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 137-113	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Jan 16, 1976	@ Indiana Pacers	W 124-118	David Thompson (39 pts)
Jan 17, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 137-113	Ralph Simpson (21 pts)
Jan 18, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 119-117	David Thompson (24 pts)
Jan 20, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 134-123	David Thompson (27 pts)
Jan 23, 1976	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 131-123	David Thompson (32 pts)
Jan 30, 1976	vs. Virginia Squires	W 126-117	David Thompson (22 pts)
Jan 31, 1976	vs. Virginia Squires	W 129-117	David Thompson (33 pts)
Feb 01, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 98-94	Dan Issel (37 pts)
Feb 04, 1976	vs. Virginia Squires	W 135-131	Ralph Simpson (34 pts)
Feb 06, 1976	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 123-109	David Thompson (28 pts)
Feb 08, 1976	vs. Kentucky Colonels	W 116-114	David Thompson (31 pts)
Feb 09, 1976	@ New York Nets	W 138-119	David Thompson (30 pts)
Feb 11, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	W 137-133	Dan Issel (28 pts)
Feb 14, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 108-103	Ralph Simpson (24 pts)
Feb 15, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 125-118	Ralph Simpson (29 pts)
Feb 18, 1976	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 142-111	David Thompson (27 pts)
Feb 19, 1976	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 128-123	Ralph Simpson (26 pts)
Feb 20, 1976	@ Indiana Pacers	L 106-101	Dan Issel (28 pts)
Feb 22, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 115-95	David Thompson (24 pts)
Feb 25, 1976	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 122-110	Dan Issel (35 pts)
Feb 27, 1976	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 140-116	David Thompson (50 pts)
Feb 28, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 134-122	David Thompson (31 pts)
Feb 29, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	W 112-111	Dan Issel (35 pts)
Mar 01, 1976	@ Virginia Squires	W 115-109	Dan Issel (23 pts)
Mar 03, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 121-100	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Mar 05, 1976	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 137-125	David Thompson (31 pts)
Mar 07, 1976	vs. Virginia Squires	W 116-101	Dan Issel (24 pts)
Mar 09, 1976	vs. New York Nets	W 128-112	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Mar 10, 1976	@ Indiana Pacers	L 129-119	Dan Issel (42 pts)
Mar 11, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 141-136	David Thompson (36 pts)
Mar 12, 1976	@ Spirits of St. Louis	L 101-97	Dan Issel (24 pts)
Mar 16, 1976	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 111-94	David Thompson (28 pts)
Mar 17, 1976	@ Indiana Pacers	W 111-108	David Thompson (36 pts)
Mar 18, 1976	@ New York Nets	L 110-98	David Thompson (23 pts)
Mar 19, 1976	@ Virginia Squires	W 113-108	Dan Issel (31 pts)
Mar 21, 1976	vs. Spirits of St. Louis	W 131-115	Dan Issel (25 pts)
Mar 23, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	L 118-117	David Thompson (34 pts)
Mar 24, 1976	vs. San Antonio Spurs	L 135-122	David Thompson (35 pts)
Mar 26, 1976	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 138-120	Dan Issel (44 pts)
Mar 27, 1976	@ Virginia Squires	W 124-123	David Thompson (36 pts)
Mar 28, 1976	@ Indiana Pacers	W 110-98	David Thompson (20 pts)
Mar 30, 1976	@ Spirits of St. Louis	W 133-112	Dan Issel (26 pts)
Mar 31, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 117-110	Ralph Simpson (23 pts)
Apr 03, 1976	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 129-121	David Thompson (36 pts)
Apr 04, 1976	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 140-134	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Apr 07, 1976	@ Kentucky Colonels	W 130-103	Dan Issel (26 pts)

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