The 1984-85 Denver Nuggets had a standout NBA season, finishing with a 52-30 record. Coached by Doug Moe, the team was renowned for its high-scoring offense, leading the league in points per game. Alex English, the forward, was pivotal, averaging 27.9 points, and earning an All-Star selection. Alongside him, Dan Issel and Calvin Natt provided solid offensive support.
In the playoffs, the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals, marking a significant achievement. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the first round and the Utah Jazz in the semifinals. However, their run ended against the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the series 4-1. Despite the loss, the season was a success, highlighting Denver’s offensive prowess and establishing them as strong contenders in the NBA’s competitive landscape during the mid-1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 52-30
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-2, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 1-4
Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1984-85 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Alex English | 81 | 27.9 | 5.7 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 19.9 | 14 | 30.2 | 6.6 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Calvin Natt | 78 | 23.3 | 7.8 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 15 | 22.3 | 6.6 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Fat Lever | 82 | 12.8 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 26.1 | 11 | 13.3 | 6.5 | 8.5 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Dan Issel | 77 | 12.8 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 14.3 | 15 | 12.4 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 100.0 |
| Wayne Cooper | 80 | 12.1 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 15 | 10.9 | 6.2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 0.0 |
| Mike Evans | 81 | 10.1 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 36.3 | 15 | 10.3 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 33.3 |
| Bill Hanzlik | 80 | 7.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 6.7 | 15 | 8.0 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| T.R. Dunn | 81 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Elston Turner | 81 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 16.6 | 15 | 7.6 | 4.9 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 100.0 |
| Danny Schayes | 56 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 9 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Joe Kopicki | 42 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 66.7 | 7 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Willie White | 39 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 36.4 | 10 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 66.7 |
Denver Nuggets in the 1985 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the first round of the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced off against the San Antonio Spurs. The Nuggets, led by the dynamic scoring and playmaking of Alex English, secured a 3-2 series victory in a tightly contested matchup. Their ability to outlast the Spurs in a decisive Game 5 showcased their resilience and set the stage for a deeper playoff run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 141-111 | |
| Apr 20, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 113-111 | |
| Apr 23, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 115-112 | |
| Apr 26, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 116-111 | |
| Apr 28, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 126-99 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced the Utah Jazz in the second round, clinching the series 4-1. Led by Alex English, who delivered consistent scoring performances, the Nuggets showcased their offensive prowess and secured a spot in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1978. Their solid teamwork and strategic plays allowed them to overcome Utah's challenges efficiently.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 130-113 | |
| May 02, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 131-123 | |
| May 04, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | L 131-123 | |
| May 05, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | W 125-118 | |
| May 07, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 116-104 |
1985 Conference Championship vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals, showcasing their dynamic offense and tenacious defense under coach Doug Moe. Led by stars like Alex English and Fat Lever, the Nuggets battled the dominant Los Angeles Lakers but ultimately fell in five games, highlighting both the promise and limitations of a team that was on the cusp of breaking through in a competitive era. Despite the loss, the Nuggets' performance in the playoffs marked a significant achievement for the franchise and energized their fan base.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 139-122 | |
| May 14, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 136-114 | |
| May 17, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 136-118 | |
| May 19, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 120-116 | |
| May 22, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 153-109 |
Denver Nuggets 1984-85 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1984-85 season for the Denver Nuggets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 125-121 | |
| Oct 30, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 126-118 | |
| Nov 01, 1984 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 129-113 | |
| Nov 03, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 128-114 | |
| Nov 05, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 107-104 | |
| Nov 06, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 146-130 | |
| Nov 08, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 128-125 | |
| Nov 10, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 147-135 | |
| Nov 13, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 122-110 | |
| Nov 16, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 119-102 | |
| Nov 20, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 124-114 | |
| Nov 21, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 112-106 | |
| Nov 24, 1984 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-110 | |
| Nov 27, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 139-110 | |
| Nov 30, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | L 116-97 | |
| Dec 01, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 118-111 | |
| Dec 04, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 100-98 | |
| Dec 05, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | L 123-107 | |
| Dec 07, 1984 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 122-115 | |
| Dec 08, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-108 | |
| Dec 11, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 123-122 | |
| Dec 12, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 126-105 | |
| Dec 14, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 123-117 | |
| Dec 16, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-101 | |
| Dec 18, 1984 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 126-122 | |
| Dec 19, 1984 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 148-129 | |
| Dec 21, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 116-93 | |
| Dec 22, 1984 | @ Houston Rockets | L 125-107 | |
| Dec 26, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 130-119 | |
| Dec 28, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 135-123 | |
| Dec 29, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 115-108 | |
| Jan 02, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 113-111 | |
| Jan 04, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-108 | |
| Jan 05, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 127-115 | |
| Jan 08, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 126-124 | |
| Jan 09, 1985 | vs. New York Knicks | W 100-95 | |
| Jan 11, 1985 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 143-121 | |
| Jan 13, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 140-116 | |
| Jan 14, 1985 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 122-113 | |
| Jan 16, 1985 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 115-107 | |
| Jan 18, 1985 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 108-106 | |
| Jan 19, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 123-120 | |
| Jan 24, 1985 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 119-110 | |
| Jan 26, 1985 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 144-127 | |
| Jan 28, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | W 104-100 | |
| Jan 29, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 128-100 | |
| Jan 31, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 121-110 | |
| Feb 02, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | L 131-128 | |
| Feb 03, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 114-106 | |
| Feb 05, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 108-103 | |
| Feb 06, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 120-101 | |
| Feb 12, 1985 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 131-107 | |
| Feb 14, 1985 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 138-123 | |
| Feb 15, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 129-119 | |
| Feb 20, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 132-129 | |
| Feb 22, 1985 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 133-123 | |
| Feb 24, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 117-107 | |
| Feb 26, 1985 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 106-94 | |
| Feb 27, 1985 | @ Washington Bullets | W 124-111 | |
| Mar 01, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 141-140 | |
| Mar 02, 1985 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 123-122 | |
| Mar 05, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 133-131 | |
| Mar 07, 1985 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 142-140 | |
| Mar 09, 1985 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 126-116 | |
| Mar 12, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | L 131-129 | |
| Mar 15, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 127-108 | |
| Mar 17, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 124-119 | |
| Mar 18, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 113-111 | |
| Mar 20, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 123-119 | |
| Mar 22, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 123-111 | |
| Mar 24, 1985 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 124-103 | |
| Mar 26, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 104-89 | |
| Mar 28, 1985 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 133-115 | |
| Mar 30, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 129-117 | |
| Apr 02, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-104 | |
| Apr 04, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 110-103 | |
| Apr 05, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 118-109 | |
| Apr 07, 1985 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 130-125 | |
| Apr 09, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 148-119 | |
| Apr 10, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 129-127 | |
| Apr 13, 1985 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 127-120 | |
| Apr 14, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 117-112 |