History of Denver Nuggets in Timeline
The Denver Nuggets, an American professional basketball team based in Denver, compete in the NBA's Western Conference Northwest Division. Originally named the Denver Larks in 1967 as an ABA charter franchise, they changed their name to the Rockets before their first season and then to the Nuggets in 1974. In 1976, the newly christened Nuggets played for the final ABA Championship title, ultimately losing to the New York Nets.
1948: Original Denver Nuggets Founded
The original Denver Nuggets team was founded and played in the National Basketball League (NBL).
1948: Original Denver Nuggets Founded
The original Denver Nuggets were founded in 1948, serving as inspiration for the current team's name.
1949: NBL-BAA Merger
The NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America (BAA) to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). The original Denver Nuggets became a charter member of the NBA.
1950: Original Denver Nuggets Folded
The original Denver Nuggets folded in 1950, marking the end of that franchise.
1967: Franchise Relocated to Denver
James Trindle, unable to find a suitable arena in Kansas City, moved his ABA franchise to Denver at the suggestion of league commissioner George Mikan. The team was initially called the Denver Larks.
1967: Team Founded as Denver Larks
The Denver Nuggets franchise was founded as the Denver Larks, a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
1967: Denver Rockets Introduce Team Colors and Logo
The Denver Rockets, who would later become the Denver Nuggets, unveiled their inaugural team colors and logo. The team's colors were black, orange, and white, representing a bold and energetic identity. The logo featured a simple yet impactful design, symbolizing the team's aspirations for a high-flying and explosive style of play.
1969: Spencer Haywood Joins the Team
Controversial rookie Spencer Haywood joined the Denver Rockets. He was one of the first players to turn pro before graduating from college. Haywood had a successful season, winning ABA MVP, ABA Rookie of the Year, and All-Star Game MVP.
1970: Spencer Haywood Departs for NBA
Spencer Haywood left the Denver Rockets to sign with the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA. The team's performance declined after his departure.
1970: Denver Rockets Maintain Original Branding
The Denver Rockets continued to use their original colors and logo.
1971: Missed ABA Playoffs
The Denver Rockets did not qualify for the ABA Playoffs this season.
1971: Denver Rockets Update Team Colors and Logo
The Denver Rockets introduced new team colors and a redesigned logo. The team adopted a gold and purple (Columbine blue) color scheme, reflecting a shift towards a more regal and sophisticated aesthetic. The updated logo featured a cartoonish rocket dribbling a gold and purple basketball, with a purple and white snow-capped mountain in the background, symbolizing the team's connection to the city of Denver and its mountainous surroundings.
1972: Team Sold to New Owners
Bill Ringsby sold the Denver Rockets to San Diego businessmen Frank Goldberg and Bud Fischer.
1973: Denver Rockets Continue Using Updated Branding
The Denver Rockets continued to utilize the updated colors and logo.
1974: Name Change to Denver Nuggets
The franchise held a contest to choose a new team nickname, as "Rockets" was already being used by the Houston Rockets. "Nuggets" was chosen in honor of the original Denver Nuggets team from 1948 to 1950.
1974: Name Change to Denver Nuggets
The Denver Rockets changed their name to the Denver Nuggets in anticipation of joining the NBA and moving into the new McNichols Arena.
1974: Missed ABA Playoffs
The Denver Rockets (soon to be Nuggets) did not qualify for the ABA playoffs this season.
1974: Dan Issel Joins the Nuggets
Dan Issel, who had won the ABA title with the Kentucky Colonels in 1974, joined the Denver Nuggets.
1974: Dan Issel Wins ABA Title with Kentucky Colonels
Dan Issel won the ABA championship with the Kentucky Colonels before joining the Denver Nuggets the following season.
1975: Second Successful Season and ABA Finals Appearance
The Denver Nuggets continued their success with a 60-24 season. They defeated the reigning champion Kentucky Colonels to reach the ABA Finals for the first time but ultimately lost to the New York Nets.
1975: Successful Season and Western Conference Finals Appearance
The Denver Nuggets, with new additions David Thompson, Marvin Webster, Dan Issel, and Bobby Jones, had a successful season, finishing 65-19. They reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Indiana Pacers.
1975: Nuggets and Nets Apply to NBA
The Nuggets and Nets applied to join the NBA but were forced to remain in the ABA by a court order.
1976: Carmelo Anthony scores 30 points in five straight games
Carmelo Anthony became the first Denver player to score at least 30 points in five consecutive playoff games since the Nuggets joined the NBA in 1976.
1976: Team Sold to Local Investment Group
Frank Goldberg and Bud Fischer sold the Denver Nuggets to a local investment group.
1976: ABA-NBA Merger
The Denver Nuggets joined the NBA as part of the ABA-NBA merger.
1976: Denver Nuggets join the NBA
The Denver Nuggets officially joined the NBA in 1976.
1976: Loss in ABA Finals
The Denver Nuggets played in their first ABA Finals but lost to the New York Nets. This was their final season in the ABA before merging with the NBA.
1976: Denver Nuggets Introduce "Maxie the Miner" Logo for ABA Entry
Upon joining the ABA, the Denver Nuggets introduced a new logo featuring a cartoonish miner named "Maxie the Miner." The logo depicted Maxie with a prominent red beard, holding a pick-axe in one hand and a red and blue basketball in the other. This distinctive logo represented the team's association with Denver's mining history and its determination to unearth success in the ABA.
1977: Denver Nuggets Join the NBA and Retain Pick-Axe Logo
Following their transition to the NBA, the Denver Nuggets retained the pick-axe logo from their ABA days, signifying a continuation of the team's identity and heritage. The Nuggets' uniforms featured "Nuggets" in red, with a red pick-axe inside a blue oval on their home jerseys, and "Denver" in blue with a blue pick-axe in a red oval on their road jerseys.
1978: Red McCombs Purchases Denver Nuggets
Red McCombs bought the Denver Nuggets.
1979: Larry Brown Leaves the Nuggets
Larry Brown departed from the Denver Nuggets, marking the beginning of a brief decline in the team's performance.
1981: End of an Era: Nuggets Retire "Rainbow City Skyline" Logo
The Denver Nuggets retired their "rainbow city skyline" logo after using it since 1981. This marked the end of an era for the franchise.
1981: Denver Nuggets Introduce "Rainbow City Skyline" Uniforms
The Denver Nuggets debuted their iconic "rainbow city skyline" uniforms, featuring a colorful representation of the Denver skyline across the chest and back. The home uniforms were white with navy and green trim, while the away uniforms were navy blue with green trim.
1981: Doug Moe and the Motion Offense
Doug Moe was hired as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, introducing his "motion offense" philosophy that prioritized ball movement and scoring.
1982: Moses Malone Wins First Consecutive NBA MVP
Moses Malone wins his first back-to-back NBA MVP award.
1982: Denver Nuggets Simplify Uniform Design
The Denver Nuggets decided to simplify their uniform design, moving away from the pick-axe logo and opting for a cleaner and more modern look. The home uniforms became white with "Nuggets" written in royal blue across the chest, while the away jerseys were royal blue with "Denver" written in white across the chest.
1982: Introduction of Rainbow Uniforms
The Denver Nuggets introduced the rainbow uniforms.
December 13, 1983: Record-Breaking Game
The Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons set a new NBA record with a combined 370 points, with Detroit emerging victorious in triple overtime with a score of 186-184.
1983: Moses Malone Wins Second Consecutive NBA MVP
Moses Malone wins his second back-to-back NBA MVP award.
1983: NBA implements 16-team playoff format
The NBA implemented a 16-team playoff format in the 1983-1984 season.
1984: Nuggets Reach Western Conference Finals
The Denver Nuggets achieved a significant milestone by reaching the Western Conference finals, a testament to their consistent playoff contention.
1984: Kiki Vandeweghe Traded
The Denver Nuggets traded Kiki Vandeweghe to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Fat Lever, Calvin Natt, and Wayne Cooper.
1985: McCombs Sells Nuggets to Shlenker
Red McCombs sold the Denver Nuggets to Sidney Shlenker
1985: Nuggets Tweak Uniform Design
The Denver Nuggets made minor adjustments to their uniforms, changing the shade of blue to royal and removing the green trim.
1985: Denver Nuggets make it to the Western Conference Finals
The Denver Nuggets made their first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 1985.
1985: Nuggets Start Season Strong
The Denver Nuggets started the 1985 season strong, achieving a 5-0 record for the first time since 1985.
1986: Nuggets Update Uniform Numbers
The Denver Nuggets updated their uniforms by changing the back numbers to royal blue.
1987: Denver Nuggets win 50 games
The Denver Nuggets finish with at least 50 wins for the first time since the 1987-1988 NBA season.
1987: Nuggets Achieve Franchise-Best 54 Wins
The Denver Nuggets achieved a franchise-best 54 wins during the 1987-1988 season.
1987: Alex English's 70+ Point Feat
Alex English, a player for the Denver Nuggets, achieved a feat of scoring more than 70 points through the first two games of the season. This was a rare accomplishment in Nuggets' history.
1988: Nuggets Eliminated in Second Round
The Denver Nuggets faced elimination in the second round of the NBA playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.
1988: Denver Nuggets have home-court advantage
The Denver Nuggets had home-court advantage for the first time since 1988.
1989: Shlenker Sells Nuggets to COMSAT
Sidney Shlenker sold the Denver Nuggets to COMSAT.
1990: Doug Moe Departs, Paul Westhead Takes Over
Doug Moe left the Denver Nuggets and Paul Westhead was hired as his successor, bringing his own "run and gun" style of play.
1991: Nuggets Draft Dikembe Mutombo
The Denver Nuggets drafted Dikembe Mutombo, a center from Georgetown University who would go on to become a key player for the franchise.
1991: Nuggets Make Uniform Changes Coinciding with Mutombo's Arrival
With the arrival of Dikembe Mutombo, the Denver Nuggets made further changes to their uniforms. The word "Nuggets" on the uniforms became white with royal blue and gold trim.
1992: Denver Drafts LaPhonso Ellis and Bryant Stith
The Denver Nuggets used their two lottery picks to draft LaPhonso Ellis from the University of Notre Dame and Bryant Stith from the University of Virginia.
1992: End of an Era: Nuggets Retire "Rainbow City Skyline" Uniforms
After 11 seasons, the Denver Nuggets retired their "rainbow city skyline" uniforms. These uniforms became synonymous with the team during the 1980s and early 1990s.
1993: Adoption of Snow-Capped Mountain Logo
The Denver Nuggets adopted the snow-capped mountain/enlarged western-style wordmark logo as their primary logo.
1993: Navy Blue Returns to Denver Nuggets' Color Scheme
The Denver Nuggets reintroduced navy blue to their color scheme, marking the return of a color that had been absent for five seasons.
1993: Nuggets Unveil New Look with Navy, Gold, and Maroon Uniforms
The Denver Nuggets underwent a significant uniform change, introducing a navy blue, metallic gold, and maroon color scheme. The "rainbow city skyline" logo was replaced with a new design featuring a snow-capped mountain, a western-style "Nuggets" wordmark, and a curved maroon ribbon with "Denver" written on it.
1993: Use of Navy Blue and Stylized Numbers
The Denver Nuggets used navy blue and stylized numbers in their uniforms.
1993: Denver Nuggets' Historic Upset
The Denver Nuggets, as the eighth seed, made history by defeating the first-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the NBA playoffs, marking the first time an eighth seed had overcome a top seed.
1995: Nuggets Acquire Antonio McDyess
The Denver Nuggets made a significant move by acquiring Antonio McDyess in a draft-day trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, who would become a central figure for the franchise.
1996: Key Players Depart Denver
The Denver Nuggets experienced the departure of several key players, including Dikembe Mutombo to the Atlanta Hawks, LaPhonso Ellis due to injuries, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf in a trade to the Sacramento Kings.
1996: Nuggets Trade Antonio McDyess and Dale Ellis
The Denver Nuggets traded Antonio McDyess to the Phoenix Suns and Dale Ellis returned to the Seattle SuperSonics after a period with the Nuggets.
1997: Nuggets Approach Historic Losing Streak
The Denver Nuggets came close to setting an NBA record for the fewest wins in an 82-game season, finishing with a dismal record and enduring a 23-game losing streak, tying the then-NBA record for the longest losing streak.
1998: "Pick Axe" Logo Initially Planned but Shelved
Former NBA director of creative services Tom O'Grady had intended to introduce the "pick axe" logo, but the plan was shelved due to a lack of communication with then-NBA commissioner David Stern. This delayed the logo's introduction for seven years.
2000: Shaquille O'Neal Wins NBA MVP
In the 1999-2000 NBA season, Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
2002: Nuggets Tie for Worst NBA Record
The Denver Nuggets tied for the worst record in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
2002: Navy Blue Makes a Comeback as Primary Color
After a 15-year hiatus, navy blue returned as a primary color for the Denver Nuggets, signifying a shift back to a classic and familiar look.
2002: Nuggets Bid Farewell to Navy, Gold, and Maroon Uniforms
After a decade, the Denver Nuggets retired their navy blue, metallic gold, and maroon uniforms. These uniforms were a significant departure from their previous designs and represented a new era for the team.
2003: Nuggets Introduce New Uniforms and Modified Logo
Coinciding with Carmelo Anthony's debut, the Denver Nuggets unveiled new uniforms with a powder blue, gold, and royal blue color scheme. The team's logo, featuring a snow-capped mountain, a curved ribbon, and the "Nuggets" wordmark, was also modified.
2003: Introduction of Powder Blue
Powder blue was introduced into the Denver Nuggets' color scheme.
2003: End of the Use of Navy Blue and Stylized Numbers
The Denver Nuggets stopped using navy blue and stylized numbers in their uniforms.
2004: Start of 10 Consecutive Playoff Appearances
The Denver Nuggets began a streak of ten consecutive seasons qualifying for the NBA playoffs.
2005: Introduction of Circular Pick Axe Logo
The Denver Nuggets introduced the circular pick axe logo as an alternate logo.
2005: "Pick Axe" Logo Officially Introduced
The Denver Nuggets officially introduced the "pick axe" logo, marking the first step towards its future prominence.
2005: Nuggets Introduce Alternate Logo and Navy Blue Uniform
The Denver Nuggets unveiled an alternate logo featuring intersecting gold pick-axes within a powder blue circle. They also introduced an alternate navy blue uniform with a gold "Nuggets" script.
2005: Denver Nuggets lose in the first round of the playoffs
The Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. This marked the fourth straight year the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round.
December 19, 2006: Denver Nuggets trade for Allen Iverson
The Denver Nuggets traded Joe Smith, Andre Miller, and two first-round draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ivan McFarlin and superstar Allen Iverson. McFarlin was waived immediately following the trade.
January 11, 2007: Denver Nuggets trade for Steve Blake
The Denver Nuggets traded Earl Boykins, Julius Hodge, and cash considerations to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for point guard Steve Blake.
2007: End of the 2007-2008 NBA Season
The Denver Nuggets' 2007-2008 season comes to an end.
2007: End of 2007-2008 NBA season
The Denver Nuggets finished the 2007-2008 NBA season with a 50-32 record.
March 16, 2008: Denver Nuggets score 168 points against Seattle SuperSonics
The Denver Nuggets scored 168 points in a 168-116 home win over the Seattle SuperSonics. This was the third most points scored for a regulation game in NBA history.
July 16, 2008: Denver Nuggets trade Marcus Camby
The Denver Nuggets traded former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers for a second-round draft pick (which was then traded to the New York Knicks for Renaldo Balkman). This trade was made to reduce the Nuggets' payroll costs.
November 3, 2008: Denver Nuggets trade Allen Iverson
The Denver Nuggets traded Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheikh Samb.
November 10, 2008: Denver Nuggets waive Antonio McDyess
The Denver Nuggets waived Antonio McDyess. McDyess returned to Detroit shortly after.
2008: Start of the 2008-2009 NBA season
The Denver Nuggets' 2008-2009 season begins.
2008: Nuggets Tweak Uniforms and Logo
The Denver Nuggets made slight adjustments to their uniforms and logo, replacing the royal blue with navy blue, a color previously part of the team's color scheme from 1993 to 2003.
2008: Denver Nuggets lose in the first round of the playoffs
The Denver Nuggets were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. This was the second time in NBA history that a 50-win team was swept in a best-of-seven playoff series in the first round.
July 13, 2009: Denver Nuggets trade for Arron Afflalo and Walter Sharpe
The Denver Nuggets traded a second-round draft pick to the Detroit Pistons for Arron Afflalo and Walter Sharpe.
2009: Nuggets' Successful Season Despite Injuries
The Denver Nuggets had a successful 2009-10 season despite injuries to key players like Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Kenyon Martin. They won 53 games, securing their third consecutive 50-win season and a second consecutive Northwest division title. They finished as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
2009: Denver Nuggets achieve numerous franchise milestones
The Denver Nuggets' 54-28 record matched the most wins the franchise had gotten since being inducted into the NBA; their 27-14 start was also a record for wins in the first half of a season. This also marked the first time in franchise history the team had back-to-back 50-win seasons. They led the Northwest division for much of the season, eventually winning the division and placing #2 in the Western Conference.
July 14, 2010: Nuggets Sign Al Harrington and Restructure Management
The Denver Nuggets signed Al Harrington to bolster their frontcourt. There were management changes during the offseason with Masai Ujiri replacing Mark Warkentien as the general manager and Josh Kroenke being named team president.
February 22, 2011: Carmelo Anthony Traded to New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks along with Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams, and Renaldo Balkman. The Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and Kosta Koufos in return. Despite the major trade, the Nuggets won their game against the Memphis Grizzlies and went on to have a successful season.
2011: Nuggets Retire Alternate Navy Blue Uniform
After seven seasons, the Denver Nuggets retired their alternate navy blue uniform with the gold "Nuggets" script. This uniform was a popular alternative to their primary uniform during this period.
2011: Cleveland Cavaliers Break Losing Streak Record
The Cleveland Cavaliers broke the Denver Nuggets' and their own previous NBA record for consecutive losses with a 26-game losing streak.
March 15, 2012: Nuggets Trade Nenê for JaVale McGee
The Denver Nuggets traded Nenê to the Washington Wizards in exchange for JaVale McGee. This move aimed to make the team younger. McGee made an impact in his first game, scoring the winning basket against the Detroit Pistons. He also performed well in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.
August 10, 2012: Nuggets Acquire Andre Iguodala in Four-Team Trade
The Denver Nuggets acquired All-Star Andre Iguodala in a four-team trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers. Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington were sent to the Orlando Magic as part of the deal.
2012: Nuggets Reintroduce "Skyline" Logo on Alternate Jerseys
The Denver Nuggets brought back the popular "skyline" logo on their alternate jerseys, rekindling the nostalgia for the iconic design.
2012: Nuggets Unveil Gold Alternate Jersey with "Rainbow Skyline" Logo
The Denver Nuggets introduced a gold alternate jersey featuring the return of the "rainbow skyline" logo. This jersey also incorporated the team's "Aachen" typeface and their color scheme of powder blue, navy, and gold.
June 21, 2013: Tim Connelly Announced as General Manager
The Denver Nuggets appointed Tim Connelly as their new general manager. This followed a period of significant change in the front office, with previous executives departing for other teams. Connelly's arrival marked a new chapter in the Nuggets' leadership.
2013: Nuggets Achieve Franchise-Best Record but Lose in Playoffs
The Denver Nuggets finished the 2012-13 season with a franchise-best 57-25 record, including a 38-3 home record at Pepsi Center. They secured the third seed in the Western Conference but were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
2013: End of 10 Consecutive Playoff Appearances
This marked the end of the Denver Nuggets' streak of ten consecutive seasons qualifying for the NBA playoffs.
2014: End of an Era: Nuggets Retire Powder Blue and Gold Uniforms
The Denver Nuggets retired their powder blue and gold uniforms after 11 seasons. These uniforms were closely associated with the Carmelo Anthony era.
2014: Philadelphia 76ers Set New Losing Streak Record
The Philadelphia 76ers established a new NBA record with 26 consecutive losses, surpassing the previous records set by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets.
March 3, 2015: Brian Shaw Fired, Melvin Hunt Becomes Interim Coach
The Nuggets made a coaching change midway through the season, firing Brian Shaw and appointing Melvin Hunt as the interim head coach. Shaw's dismissal came after a challenging season for the team, with numerous injuries and a disappointing record.
June 15, 2015: Michael Malone Appointed as Head Coach
Following a period of transition, the Denver Nuggets named Michael Malone as their new head coach, marking the beginning of a new era for the team. Malone took the helm with the goal of developing the Nuggets' young talent and improving their performance.
July 14, 2015: Ty Lawson Arrested for DUI
Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson was arrested in Los Angeles for suspicion of driving under the influence. This incident marked Lawson's second DUI arrest within a span of six months, raising concerns about his off-court behavior and its impact on his career.
2015: Nuggets Modify Uniform Fonts and Tweak Alternate Jerseys
The Denver Nuggets made modifications to the script and numbering fonts on their home, away, and alternate jerseys. The alternate gold "skyline" jerseys were also tweaked, featuring a retro "Nuggets" wordmark and modified numerals.
January 27, 2016: Mudiay and Jokić to Participate in Rising Stars Challenge
The Denver Nuggets announced that their young players, Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokić, would be participating in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge during the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. This selection highlighted the growing promise of the Nuggets' young core and their potential to become future stars in the league.
February 13, 2017: Nuggets Trade Nurkić to Portland
In a significant trade, the Denver Nuggets sent Jusuf Nurkić to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Mason Plumlee, a future second-round draft pick, and cash considerations. The trade signaled a shift in the Nuggets' roster strategy, potentially opening up opportunities for other players and addressing specific needs within the team.
June 15, 2017: Nuggets Promote Karnišovas and Connelly
The Denver Nuggets announced the promotions of Artūras Karnišovas to general manager and Tim Connelly to president of basketball operations. This move solidified the leadership structure within the organization, empowering Karnišovas and Connelly to shape the team's future direction.
December 2, 2017: Nuggets Retire Fat Lever's Number
The Denver Nuggets honored the legacy of Fat Lever by retiring his jersey number during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The ceremony celebrated Lever's significant contributions to the franchise and his lasting impact on the team's history.
2017: Nuggets Update Uniforms, Reintroducing Navy Blue as Primary Color
The Denver Nuggets updated their uniforms, marking the return of navy blue as a primary color and relegating powder blue to a trim color. The gold "Statement" jersey also underwent noticeable alterations, with the rainbow relocated to the sides and the number moved to the bottom.
2017: Nuggets Retire Snow-Capped Mountain Logo
The Denver Nuggets retired their snow-capped mountain logo, which had served as the team's primary logo for 14 seasons. This marked the end of an era for the franchise's visual identity.
2017: Release of the "City" Uniform
Nike introduced the "City" uniform series, an annually updated fourth uniform option for NBA teams. The Denver Nuggets' first "City" uniform featured a navy base, highlighted the pick-axe and mountain logo in front, and incorporated sublimated mountain peak patterns on the shorts.
2018: "Pick Axe" Logo Becomes Nuggets' Primary Logo
The Denver Nuggets adopted the circular "pick axe" logo as their new primary logo, replacing the snow-capped mountain logo. This marked a significant shift in the team's visual identity.
2018: Denver Nuggets Logo and Uniform Modification
The Denver Nuggets modified their logos and uniforms for the 2018-19 season. The changes included introducing a new color scheme featuring midnight blue, sunshine yellow, flatirons red, and skyline blue. They replaced the primary logo with the circular pick axe logo and eliminated powder blue from their color scheme.
2018: Nuggets' "City" Uniform Pays Homage to Rainbow Uniforms
The Denver Nuggets' "City" uniform for the 2018-19 season was a throwback to the team's 1982-93 rainbow uniforms, featuring a sublimated pattern of the rainbow logo and navy lettering.
January 31, 2019: Jokić Selected for His First All-Star Game
Nikola Jokić earned his first All-Star selection as a Western Conference reserve for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, marking a significant milestone in his career and recognition of his exceptional performance. Jokić's selection ended a drought for the Nuggets, as he became the first player from the team to be named an All-Star since Carmelo Anthony in 2011.
2019: Denver Nuggets in the NBA Bubble
Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Denver Nuggets were one of 22 teams invited to participate in the NBA Bubble. The team made history by becoming the first in NBA playoff history to overcome multiple 3-1 deficits in a single playoff run, defeating the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in the first and second rounds, respectively. Despite their historic run, the Nuggets' championship hopes were dashed in the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.
2019: Continuation of the Rainbow Design
The Denver Nuggets continued using the same rainbow design from the previous season for their 2019-20 "City" uniform but changed to a black base with white letters.
2020: Modification of "City" Uniform Design
The Denver Nuggets retained the same "City" uniform design but removed the rainbow pattern. Instead, they incorporated a red/yellow/orange gradient within the mountains and used a flatirons red base.
2020: Nikola Jokić Wins NBA MVP
In the 2020-21 NBA season, Nikola Jokić was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, a historic achievement for both the player and the Denver Nuggets franchise. Jokić became the first center since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to win the award, the first player in Nuggets history to receive the honor, and the lowest-drafted player ever to be named MVP. Despite Jokic's MVP season, the Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns.
2020: Introduction of "Earned" Uniform
As a reward for making the NBA playoffs in the previous season, 16 teams received an exclusive fifth or sixth uniform option: the "Earned" uniform. The Denver Nuggets qualified for the 2020 NBA playoffs and were given this option for the 2020–21 season. The white-based design featured a modified pickaxe logo, with the top half in skyline blue and the bottom half in flatirons red. Names are written in blue and numbers are written in red with gold trim.
2021: Mashup "City" Uniforms for NBA's 75th Anniversary
As part of the NBA's 75th-anniversary celebration, 27 teams, including the Denver Nuggets, received mashup "City" uniforms. Denver's uniform incorporated various design elements from past uniforms, including the throwback "Nuggets" wordmark and rainbow pattern from the 1980s uniforms, navy blue and stylized numbers from the 1993–2003 uniforms, Maxie the Miner and striping based on the ABA Nuggets uniforms, and the powder blue and "DN" alternate logo from the 2000s uniforms.
2022: Tweaks to the Statement Uniform
The Denver Nuggets made minor adjustments to their "Statement" uniform, increasing the use of gold on the lettering and red on the trim and mountain silhouette. They also added two "gold strikes" between the words "Mile High City".
2022: Denver Nuggets Secure Top Seed in Western Conference
The Denver Nuggets secured the top seed in the Western Conference in the 2022-23 NBA Season, finishing with a record of 53 wins and 29 losses. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the Nuggets and set the stage for their historic playoff run.
2022: New "City" Uniform Inspired by Denver's Architecture
The Denver Nuggets unveiled a new "City" uniform for the 2022-23 season. The white uniform featured navy letters, gold and red trim, and royal blue/white gradient stripes, drawing inspiration from Denver's iconic architecture and civic organizations.
June 12, 2023: Denver Nuggets Win First NBA Championship
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 4-1 in the 2023 NBA Finals to win their first NBA championship in franchise history. Nikola Jokić was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance throughout the series. This victory marked a historic moment for the Nuggets and solidified their place among the NBA's elite teams.
2023: Nuggets' "City" Uniform Revisits Mountain Theme
The Denver Nuggets' "City" uniform for the 2023-24 season revisited the mountain-themed motif from their 1980s "Rainbow" uniforms. The black-based design featured sublimated blue lines representing the Rocky Mountains and "5280" below in gold to symbolize Denver's high elevation. Other elements include a secondary team logo on the shorts, "Denver" wordmark on the waistband, white numbers above the left chest, and burgundy stripes. The uniform would be worn for select games, and in home games during the 2023 NBA in-season tournament, it would be paired with a specially-painted alternate blue court with a gold middle strip and the silhouette of the NBA Cup.
2023: First NBA Championship
The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, reached their first NBA Finals and defeated the Miami Heat, securing their first NBA championship. This also made them the second former ABA team to win an NBA title.
March 17, 2024: Roster Update
The Denver Nuggets roster was last updated on March 17, 2024.