Denver Nuggets 1977-78 Roster and Stats

The 1977-78 Denver Nuggets delivered an impressive performance in their second season in the NBA following the ABA-NBA merger. Under head coach Larry Brown, the team finished with a 48-34 record, securing the Midwest Division title. Key players included David Thompson, who averaged 27.2 points per game, and Dan Issel, who contributed significantly with his scoring and rebounding abilities.

The Nuggets excelled in offense, leading the league in points per game. In the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round but faced a setback in the Western Conference Semifinals, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics 4-2. Despite the playoff exit, the season was notable for establishing the Nuggets as a competitive force in the NBA, setting the stage for future successes.

Regular Season Record: 48-34
Playoff Result: Western Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Western Conference Finals: 2-4

Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1977-78 Season

POINTS

David Thompson

27.2

REBOUNDS

Dan Issel

10.1

ASSISTS

Bob Wilkerson

5.4

	Regular Season							Playoffs
Player	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%
David Thompson	80	27.2	4.9	4.5	1.1	1.2	0.0	13	25.2	4.1	4.0	0.7	1.6	0.0
Dan Issel	82	21.3	10.1	3.7	1.1	0.5	0.0	13	20.2	10.3	4.1	0.5	0.2	0.0
Bobby Jones	75	14.5	8.5	3.3	1.8	1.7	0.0	13	12.8	7.8	2.7	1.2	0.7	0.0
Brian Taylor	39	11.6	2.5	3.4	1.8	0.2	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Bob Wilkerson	81	11.3	5.9	5.4	1.4	0.2	0.0	13	9.2	5.5	6.0	1.5	0.3	0.0
Anthony Roberts	82	9.5	4.3	1.3	0.5	0.1	0.0	13	16.3	8.3	2.3	0.8	0.5	0.0
Darnell Hillman	33	7.8	7.2	1.6	0.4	1.0	0.0	13	5.6	6.2	1.4	0.5	0.5	0.0
Jim Price	49	6.8	3.2	3.2	1.4	0.1	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Mack Calvin	77	6.1	1.1	1.9	0.6	0.1	0.0	12	5.4	0.7	1.8	0.6	0.0	0.0
Ralph Simpson	32	5.5	2.3	2.3	1.3	0.1	0.0	13	7.8	1.5	2.9	0.3	0.2	0.0
Bo Ellis	78	4.3	3.9	0.9	0.6	0.6	0.0	12	3.8	3.5	0.7	0.5	0.7	0.0
Tom LaGarde	77	4.0	2.8	0.6	0.2	0.2	0.0	9	2.8	2.0	0.8	0.0	0.2	0.0
Robert Smith	45	2.7	0.8	0.9	0.4	0.1	0.0	11	3.5	0.8	1.5	0.5	0.0	0.0
Jacky Dorsey	7	1.3	2.9	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Norm Cook	2	1.0	1.5	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Denver Nuggets in the 1978 NBA Playoffs

Playoffs Second Round vs. Milwaukee Bucks

In the 1978 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite a strong effort, the Nuggets were eliminated in a hard-fought seven-game series, losing 4-3. Denver's high-powered offense, led by David Thompson, couldn't quite overcome Milwaukee's balanced attack and defensive prowess.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Apr 18, 1978	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 119-103	David Thompson (27 pts)
Apr 21, 1978	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 127-111	Dan Issel (22 pts)
Apr 23, 1978	@ Milwaukee Bucks	L 143-112	Bob Wilkerson (16 pts)
Apr 25, 1978	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 118-104	David Thompson (34 pts)
Apr 28, 1978	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	L 117-112	Bobby Jones (25 pts)
Apr 30, 1978	@ Milwaukee Bucks	L 119-91	David Thompson (28 pts)
May 03, 1978	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 116-110	David Thompson (37 pts)

1978 Conference Championship vs. Seattle SuperSonics

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
May 05, 1978	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 116-107	Dan Issel (25 pts)
May 07, 1978	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	L 121-111	Dan Issel (29 pts)
May 10, 1978	@ Seattle SuperSonics	L 105-91	David Thompson (21 pts)
May 12, 1978	@ Seattle SuperSonics	L 100-94	Dan Issel (27 pts)
May 14, 1978	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 123-114	David Thompson (35 pts)
May 17, 1978	@ Seattle SuperSonics	L 123-108	David Thompson (21 pts)

Denver Nuggets 1977-78 Regular Season Game Log

Here is the game log for the 1977-78 season for the Denver Nuggets.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Oct 19, 1977	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 133-115	David Thompson (36 pts)
Oct 21, 1977	vs. Los Angeles Lakers	W 106-101	Dan Issel (23 pts)
Oct 22, 1977	@ Detroit Pistons	L 126-106	Brian Taylor (20 pts)
Oct 25, 1977	@ Indiana Pacers	L 129-104	David Thompson (24 pts)
Oct 26, 1977	vs. Portland Trail Blazers	W 111-108	David Thompson (24 pts)
Oct 29, 1977	vs. Buffalo Braves	W 127-111	David Thompson (28 pts)
Nov 01, 1977	@ Cleveland Cavaliers	L 110-93	David Thompson (25 pts)
Nov 02, 1977	@ Buffalo Braves	L 104-100	Anthony Roberts (20 pts)
Nov 04, 1977	@ Boston Celtics	W 109-107	David Thompson (30 pts)
Nov 05, 1977	@ Philadelphia 76ers	L 132-101	David Thompson (20 pts)
Nov 08, 1977	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 111-101	David Thompson (20 pts)
Nov 09, 1977	vs. New Orleans Jazz	W 115-112	David Thompson (31 pts)
Nov 12, 1977	vs. Kansas City Kings	W 119-114	Dan Issel (22 pts)
Nov 15, 1977	vs. Detroit Pistons	W 123-113	David Thompson (33 pts)
Nov 18, 1977	vs. San Antonio Spurs	W 105-94	David Thompson (26 pts)
Nov 20, 1977	@ New Jersey Nets	W 125-118	David Thompson (33 pts)
Nov 22, 1977	@ Washington Bullets	W 119-114	Dan Issel (26 pts)
Nov 23, 1977	@ Atlanta Hawks	L 105-104	David Thompson (33 pts)
Nov 24, 1977	@ New Orleans Jazz	L 131-129	Dan Issel (29 pts)
Nov 26, 1977	vs. Indiana Pacers	W 136-123	David Thompson (42 pts)
Nov 27, 1977	@ Phoenix Suns	L 115-97	David Thompson (24 pts)
Nov 29, 1977	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 115-99	Dan Issel (20 pts)
Dec 02, 1977	vs. New Jersey Nets	W 126-92	David Thompson (24 pts)
Dec 04, 1977	@ Los Angeles Lakers	W 111-109	David Thompson (27 pts)
Dec 07, 1977	vs. Atlanta Hawks	W 123-116	Dan Issel (34 pts)
Dec 10, 1977	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 118-111	Bobby Jones (25 pts)
Dec 13, 1977	@ Chicago Bulls	L 99-96	David Thompson (24 pts)
Dec 14, 1977	@ Kansas City Kings	L 124-98	David Thompson (19 pts)
Dec 16, 1977	vs. Washington Bullets	L 117-112	David Thompson (31 pts)
Dec 20, 1977	@ Seattle SuperSonics	L 93-88	Dan Issel (22 pts)
Dec 23, 1977	@ Golden State Warriors	L 98-93	Bob Wilkerson (24 pts)
Dec 26, 1977	vs. Phoenix Suns	W 127-108	Dan Issel (24 pts)
Dec 28, 1977	vs. Golden State Warriors	W 130-108	David Thompson (29 pts)
Dec 30, 1977	@ Atlanta Hawks	W 106-104	Dan Issel (32 pts)
Jan 03, 1978	@ Washington Bullets	W 101-100	David Thompson (26 pts)
Jan 04, 1978	@ San Antonio Spurs	W 119-114	Brian Taylor (23 pts)
Jan 08, 1978	vs. Chicago Bulls	W 109-104	David Thompson (23 pts)
Jan 10, 1978	vs. New Orleans Jazz	W 115-110	Dan Issel (28 pts)
Jan 12, 1978	@ Houston Rockets	W 109-106	David Thompson (41 pts)
Jan 14, 1978	vs. Los Angeles Lakers	W 123-112	Dan Issel (30 pts)
Jan 17, 1978	vs. Cleveland Cavaliers	W 104-89	David Thompson (25 pts)
Jan 19, 1978	@ Milwaukee Bucks	L 114-109	David Thompson (34 pts)
Jan 22, 1978	vs. New York Knicks	L 143-141	David Thompson (37 pts)
Jan 24, 1978	@ Chicago Bulls	L 131-114	David Thompson (26 pts)
Jan 25, 1978	vs. Buffalo Braves	W 121-119	David Thompson (34 pts)
Jan 27, 1978	vs. Houston Rockets	W 105-100	Dan Issel (26 pts)
Jan 29, 1978	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	L 118-117	David Thompson (39 pts)
Jan 31, 1978	@ New York Knicks	W 119-115	David Thompson (41 pts)
Feb 01, 1978	@ Philadelphia 76ers	L 104-101	Jim Price (22 pts)
Feb 03, 1978	vs. Detroit Pistons	W 115-102	David Thompson (30 pts)
Feb 08, 1978	vs. Atlanta Hawks	W 114-109	Dan Issel (28 pts)
Feb 09, 1978	@ Golden State Warriors	L 119-108	Dan Issel (22 pts)
Feb 10, 1978	@ Seattle SuperSonics	L 126-123	David Thompson (43 pts)
Feb 12, 1978	@ Portland Trail Blazers	W 103-101	David Thompson (22 pts)
Feb 14, 1978	vs. Washington Bullets	W 103-98	David Thompson (26 pts)
Feb 16, 1978	@ Cleveland Cavaliers	L 119-87	Anthony Roberts (19 pts)
Feb 17, 1978	vs. Portland Trail Blazers	W 112-105	David Thompson (30 pts)
Feb 19, 1978	vs. Boston Celtics	W 118-115	David Thompson (29 pts)
Feb 22, 1978	vs. Indiana Pacers	L 99-96	Dan Issel (40 pts)
Feb 24, 1978	@ Los Angeles Lakers	L 109-99	David Thompson (28 pts)
Feb 25, 1978	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	W 124-115	Anthony Roberts (25 pts)
Feb 28, 1978	@ Indiana Pacers	W 122-106	David Thompson (27 pts)
Mar 01, 1978	vs. Cleveland Cavaliers	L 110-104	David Thompson (33 pts)
Mar 04, 1978	vs. Kansas City Kings	W 123-114	David Thompson (31 pts)
Mar 07, 1978	vs. Phoenix Suns	L 126-112	Dan Issel (30 pts)
Mar 10, 1978	@ Kansas City Kings	L 126-120	David Thompson (30 pts)
Mar 12, 1978	vs. Chicago Bulls	W 98-95	David Thompson (32 pts)
Mar 15, 1978	vs. Golden State Warriors	W 123-111	Dan Issel (33 pts)
Mar 17, 1978	@ New Jersey Nets	L 111-109	David Thompson (40 pts)
Mar 19, 1978	@ Boston Celtics	L 122-95	Dan Issel (23 pts)
Mar 21, 1978	vs. New York Knicks	L 115-114	David Thompson (29 pts)
Mar 23, 1978	@ San Antonio Spurs	L 123-106	David Thompson (29 pts)
Mar 26, 1978	@ New Orleans Jazz	W 109-100	David Thompson (42 pts)
Mar 28, 1978	@ New York Knicks	L 106-103	Dan Issel (25 pts)
Mar 29, 1978	vs. Boston Celtics	W 109-106	David Thompson (35 pts)
Mar 31, 1978	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	L 111-109	Dan Issel (31 pts)
Apr 02, 1978	vs. Houston Rockets	W 109-100	Dan Issel (22 pts)
Apr 03, 1978	@ Buffalo Braves	W 104-95	Dan Issel (27 pts)
Apr 05, 1978	vs. New Jersey Nets	W 129-121	Dan Issel (32 pts)
Apr 06, 1978	@ Phoenix Suns	W 111-105	David Thompson (28 pts)
Apr 07, 1978	@ Portland Trail Blazers	L 97-93	David Thompson (26 pts)
Apr 09, 1978	@ Detroit Pistons	L 139-137	David Thompson (73 pts)

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