The 1998-99 Denver Nuggets endured a challenging NBA season, marked by a 14-36 record. This shortened season was a result of the league-wide lockout, compressing the schedule and intensifying the competition. The Nuggets struggled offensively and defensively, finishing 13th in the Western Conference. Key players like Antonio McDyess and Nick Van Exel provided some bright spots, with McDyess averaging 21.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
Despite occasional strong performances, the team faced significant issues with consistency and depth. The coaching transition from Bill Hanzlik to Mike D’Antoni didn’t yield the desired turnaround as D’Antoni only managed to secure a 14-36 record. The season highlighted the need for a strategic rebuild, prompting management to reassess their roster and future direction. The Nuggets missed the playoffs, extending their postseason drought, and set gears for a rebuilding phase in the subsequent seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 14-36
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 1998-99 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Antonio McDyess | 50 | 21.2 | 10.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 11.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Nick Van Exel | 50 | 16.5 | 2.3 | 7.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 30.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chauncey Billups | 45 | 13.9 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 36.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Raef LaFrentz | 12 | 13.8 | 7.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 38.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Fortson | 50 | 11.0 | 11.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eric Williams | 38 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 23.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Cory Alexander | 36 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 28.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bryant Stith | 46 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 29.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Taylor | 36 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 38.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eric Washington | 38 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 38.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tyson Wheeler | 1 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Keon Clark | 28 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Carl Herrera | 24 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kelly McCarty | 2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Loren Meyer | 14 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 20.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Monty Williams | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Denver Nuggets 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the Denver Nuggets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 1999 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 110-92 | |
| Feb 07, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 115-108 | |
| Feb 08, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 99-80 | |
| Feb 10, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 103-98 | |
| Feb 12, 1999 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 100-94 | |
| Feb 13, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-92 | |
| Feb 15, 1999 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 115-106 | |
| Feb 17, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 100-85 | |
| Feb 18, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 97-86 | |
| Feb 22, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-113 | |
| Feb 24, 1999 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 97-87 | |
| Feb 25, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 90-81 | |
| Feb 26, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-95 | |
| Feb 28, 1999 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 116-112 | |
| Mar 02, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 88-81 | |
| Mar 04, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | L 95-87 | |
| Mar 05, 1999 | @ Boston Celtics | L 102-94 | |
| Mar 07, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 106-96 | |
| Mar 09, 1999 | @ Houston Rockets | L 84-75 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 94-89 | |
| Mar 13, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 92-61 | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 110-84 | |
| Mar 17, 1999 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 114-109 | |
| Mar 19, 1999 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 105-101 | |
| Mar 21, 1999 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 102-98 | |
| Mar 23, 1999 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 112-82 | |
| Mar 25, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 86-65 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 98-79 | |
| Mar 27, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 112-100 | |
| Mar 29, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-88 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 101-87 | |
| Apr 01, 1999 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-110 | |
| Apr 02, 1999 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 107-88 | |
| Apr 04, 1999 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 82-80 | |
| Apr 05, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-104 | |
| Apr 07, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 87-84 | |
| Apr 10, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 110-104 | |
| Apr 12, 1999 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 104-96 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 120-97 | |
| Apr 15, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 85-79 | |
| Apr 17, 1999 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 119-97 | |
| Apr 18, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 103-101 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 96-84 | |
| Apr 24, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 93-74 | |
| Apr 26, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 93-77 | |
| Apr 29, 1999 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 98-87 | |
| Apr 30, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-101 | |
| May 02, 1999 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-102 | |
| May 03, 1999 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 112-104 | |
| May 05, 1999 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 95-88 |