The 2018-19 Denver Nuggets had a breakthrough season, finishing second in the Western Conference with a 54-28 record. Under head coach Michael Malone, the team showcased a strong defensive strategy paired with an efficient offense. Nikola Jokić emerged as a superstar, earning his first All-Star selection and leading the team with 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
Denver’s depth was a crucial factor, with Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Paul Millsap providing significant contributions. The Nuggets excelled at home, posting a 34-7 record at the Pepsi Center. In the playoffs, they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a grueling seven-game first-round series. However, their postseason run ended in the Western Conference semifinals, where they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers in another seven-game series. This season marked the Nuggets’ return to prominence and set the stage for future success.
- Regular Season Record: 54-28
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-3, Western Conference Semifinals: 3-4
Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats for 2018-19 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Nikola Jokić | 80 | 20.1 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 30.7 | 14 | 25.1 | 13.0 | 8.4 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 39.3 |
| Jamal Murray | 75 | 18.2 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 36.7 | 14 | 21.3 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 33.7 |
| Gary Harris | 57 | 12.9 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 33.9 | 14 | 14.2 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 35.1 |
| Paul Millsap | 70 | 12.6 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 36.5 | 14 | 14.6 | 6.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 31.6 |
| Will Barton | 43 | 11.5 | 4.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 34.2 | 14 | 9.1 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 27.3 |
| Malik Beasley | 81 | 11.3 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 40.2 | 14 | 8.1 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 40.4 |
| Monte Morris | 82 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 41.4 | 14 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Trey Lyles | 64 | 8.5 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 25.5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Isaiah Thomas | 12 | 8.1 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 27.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mason Plumlee | 82 | 7.8 | 6.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 20.0 | 14 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Juancho Hernangómez | 70 | 5.8 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 36.5 | 5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Torrey Craig | 75 | 5.7 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 32.4 | 14 | 6.6 | 5.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 47.2 |
| Nick Young | 4 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 37.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Thomas Welsh | 11 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 42.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brandon Goodwin | 16 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | 17 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell | 7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tyler Lydon | 25 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Denver Nuggets in the 2019 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced a challenging series against the San Antonio Spurs, ultimately clinching a victory in seven games. The series highlighted the emergence of Jamal Murray and the steady leadership of Nikola Jokić, who delivered a triple-double in Game 7 to secure Denver's first playoff series win since 2009. Their resilience and depth were pivotal in overcoming the Spurs' experience and tactical prowess.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 101-96 | |
| Apr 16, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 114-105 | |
| Apr 18, 2019 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 118-108 | |
| Apr 20, 2019 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 117-103 | |
| Apr 23, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-90 | |
| Apr 25, 2019 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 120-103 | |
| Apr 27, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 90-86 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers in a thrilling Western Conference Semifinals matchup. The series extended to a decisive Game 7, where the Nuggets ultimately fell short, losing 100-96 on their home court. Despite the loss, the series showcased the resilience and emerging talent of the Nuggets, particularly the standout performances of Nikola Jokić, who solidified his status as one of the league's premier big men.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 121-113 | |
| May 01, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 97-90 | |
| May 03, 2019 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 140-137 | |
| May 05, 2019 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-112 | |
| May 07, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-98 | |
| May 09, 2019 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-108 | |
| May 12, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 100-96 |
Denver Nuggets 2018-19 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2018-19 season for the Denver Nuggets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 107-98 | |
| Oct 20, 2018 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 119-91 | |
| Oct 21, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 100-98 | |
| Oct 23, 2018 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 126-112 | |
| Oct 25, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 121-114 | |
| Oct 29, 2018 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 116-111 | |
| Oct 31, 2018 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 108-107 | |
| Nov 01, 2018 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-91 | |
| Nov 03, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 103-88 | |
| Nov 05, 2018 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 115-107 | |
| Nov 07, 2018 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 89-87 | |
| Nov 09, 2018 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | L 112-110 | |
| Nov 11, 2018 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 121-114 | |
| Nov 13, 2018 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 109-99 | |
| Nov 15, 2018 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 138-93 | |
| Nov 17, 2018 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L 125-115 | |
| Nov 19, 2018 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-98 | |
| Nov 21, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 103-101 | |
| Nov 23, 2018 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 112-87 | |
| Nov 24, 2018 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 105-98 | |
| Nov 27, 2018 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-85 | |
| Nov 30, 2018 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-112 | |
| Dec 03, 2018 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 106-103 | |
| Dec 05, 2018 | @ Orlando Magic | W 124-118 | |
| Dec 07, 2018 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 113-107 | |
| Dec 08, 2018 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 106-98 | |
| Dec 10, 2018 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 105-99 | |
| Dec 14, 2018 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 109-98 | |
| Dec 16, 2018 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 95-86 | |
| Dec 18, 2018 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 126-118 | |
| Dec 22, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 132-111 | |
| Dec 26, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 111-103 | |
| Dec 28, 2018 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 102-99 | |
| Dec 29, 2018 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 122-118 | |
| Jan 01, 2019 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-108 | |
| Jan 03, 2019 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 117-113 | |
| Jan 05, 2019 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 123-110 | |
| Jan 07, 2019 | @ Houston Rockets | L 125-113 | |
| Jan 08, 2019 | @ Miami Heat | W 103-99 | |
| Jan 10, 2019 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-100 | |
| Jan 12, 2019 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 102-93 | |
| Jan 13, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-113 | |
| Jan 15, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 142-111 | |
| Jan 17, 2019 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 135-105 | |
| Jan 19, 2019 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 124-102 | |
| Jan 23, 2019 | @ Utah Jazz | L 114-108 | |
| Jan 25, 2019 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 132-95 | |
| Jan 26, 2019 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 126-110 | |
| Jan 28, 2019 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 95-92 | |
| Jan 30, 2019 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 105-99 | |
| Feb 01, 2019 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 136-122 | |
| Feb 02, 2019 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 107-106 | |
| Feb 04, 2019 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 129-103 | |
| Feb 06, 2019 | @ Brooklyn Nets | L 135-130 | |
| Feb 08, 2019 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 117-110 | |
| Feb 11, 2019 | vs. Miami Heat | W 103-87 | |
| Feb 13, 2019 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 120-118 | |
| Feb 22, 2019 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 114-104 | |
| Feb 24, 2019 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-96 | |
| Feb 26, 2019 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 121-112 | |
| Feb 28, 2019 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 111-104 | |
| Mar 02, 2019 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L 120-112 | |
| Mar 04, 2019 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 104-103 | |
| Mar 06, 2019 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 115-99 | |
| Mar 08, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 122-105 | |
| Mar 12, 2019 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 133-107 | |
| Mar 14, 2019 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 100-99 | |
| Mar 16, 2019 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-100 | |
| Mar 18, 2019 | @ Boston Celtics | W 114-105 | |
| Mar 21, 2019 | @ Washington Wizards | W 113-108 | |
| Mar 22, 2019 | @ New York Knicks | W 111-93 | |
| Mar 24, 2019 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 124-88 | |
| Mar 26, 2019 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 95-92 | |
| Mar 28, 2019 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-85 | |
| Mar 29, 2019 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 115-105 | |
| Mar 31, 2019 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 95-90 | |
| Apr 02, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 116-102 | |
| Apr 03, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 113-85 | |
| Apr 05, 2019 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 119-110 | |
| Apr 07, 2019 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-108 | |
| Apr 09, 2019 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-108 | |
| Apr 10, 2019 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 99-95 |