1985–86 Denver Nuggets season

The 1985–86 NBA season was the Nuggets' 10th season in the NBA and 19th season as a franchise.[1]

1985–86 Denver Nuggets season
Head coachDoug Moe
ArenaMcNichols Sports Arena
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Midwest)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishWest Conference Semi-finals
(lost to Rockets 2–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKWGN-TV
RadioKOA
< 1984–85 1986–87 >

In the playoffs, the Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in four games in the First Round before losing to the eventual Western Conference Champion Houston Rockets in six games in the Semi-finals.

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 15 Blair Rasmussen C   United States Oregon
2 43 Barry Stevens SG   United States Iowa State
4 89 Pete Williams F   United States Arizona
5 112 Kenny Brown   United States Texas A&M
6 135 Joe Carrabino   United States Harvard
7 158 Eddie Smith   United States Arizona

Roster

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1985-86 Denver Nuggets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 42 Cooper, Wayne 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 195 lb (88 kg) New Orleans
SG 23 Dunn, T.R. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 192 lb (87 kg) Alabama
SF 2 English, Alex 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) South Carolina
G 5 Evans, Mike 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Kansas State
PF 24 Hanzlik, Bill 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Notre Dame
G 12 Lever, Fat 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Arizona State
PF 33 Natt, Calvin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Louisiana–Monroe
C 41 Rasmussen, Blair 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Oregon
C 34 Schayes, Danny 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Syracuse
SF 20 Turner, Elston 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Mississippi
SG 10 White, Willie 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Chattanooga
PF 31 Williams, Pete 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Arizona
Head coach

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Houston Rockets 51 31 .622 36–5 15–26 20–10
x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 4 34–7 13–28 15–15
x-Dallas Mavericks 44 38 .537 7 26–15 18–23 16–14
x-Utah Jazz 42 40 .512 9 27–14 15–26 15–15
x-Sacramento Kings 37 45 .451 14 25–16 12–29 15–15
x-San Antonio Spurs 35 47 .427 16 21–20 14–27 9–21
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 62 20 .756
2 y-Houston Rockets 51 31 .622 11
3 x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 15
4 x-Dallas Mavericks 44 38 .537 18
5 x-Utah Jazz 42 40 .512 20
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 40 42 .488 22
7 x-Sacramento Kings 37 45 .451 25
8 x-San Antonio Spurs 35 47 .427 27
9 Phoenix Suns 32 50 .390 30
10 Los Angeles Clippers 32 50 .390 30
11 Seattle SuperSonics 31 51 .378 31
12 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 32
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1985-86 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 0–6 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–4
Boston 6–0 5–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 5–0 4–2 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1
Chicago 1–5 1–5 3–3 0–2 2–0 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4
Cleveland 2–4 1–5 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–5 3–3 4–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5
Dallas 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 0–2 4–1 1–5 2–0 2–3 1–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–3 3–3 4–2 3–2 5–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 4–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 3–3 3–3 2–3 3–3 2–0
Detroit 2–4 1–4 4–2 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 4–2 4–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–2
Golden State 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 0–5 1–1 5–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 2–3 2–4 2–3 1–1
Houston 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–3 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–2 5–1 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 1–5 1–5 3–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–3 2–4 0–6 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–1
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–5 2–3 0–2 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 5–0 1–4 3–3 3–2 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–3 1–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1 6–0 5–0 4–1 4–2 5–0 2–0
Milwaukee 3–3 0–5 5–1 5–1 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 6–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
New Jersey 2–4 2–4 3–2 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–4
New York 1–5 1–5 2–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 4–2 0–2 1–1 0–6 1–5 0–6 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–3
Philadelphia 1–4 2–4 5–1 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 6–0 2–0 0–2 1–4 4–2 6–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 1–4 2–0 4–2 2–3 1–1 4–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–4 2–3 3–2 5–1 1–4 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–3 2–0 4–2 0–6 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 4–2 3–2 1–4 5–1 2–3 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 2–0 3–2 2–4 2–0 0–5 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 2–3 5–1 5–0 2–4 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–5 1–1 4–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 4–1 1–5 2–3 2–4 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 0–2 4–2 2–3 0–2 3–3 2–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–5 0–5 3–2 2–3 1–1
Utah 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–5 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 2–3 0–5 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 4–2 4–2 3–2 1–1
Washington 4–1 1–5 4–1 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–0 0–2 2–4 4–2 3–3 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1

Game log

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Regular season

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1985–86 game log
Total: 47–35 (home: 34–7; road: 13–28)
October: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 25, 1985 @ Golden State W 122–114 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 1–0
2 October 26, 1985 Sacramento W 123–112 McNichols Sports Arena 2–0
3 October 29, 1985 @ Phoenix W 142–127 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 3–0
4 October 31, 1985 Seattle W 90–73 McNichols Sports Arena 4–0
November: 8–6 (home: 7–2; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 November 5, 1985
7:30 p.m. MST
Atlanta W 128–113 English (33) Schayes (8) English, Hanzlik, Lever (6) McNichols Sports Arena
8,691
5–0
6 November 7, 1985 Dallas W 131–99 McNichols Sports Arena 6–0
7 November 8, 1985 @ L.A. Lakers L 99–128 The Forum 6–1
8 November 12, 1985 @ Houston L 119–127 The Summit 6–2
9 November 14, 1985 San Antonio W 112–109 McNichols Sports Arena 7–2
10 November 16, 1985 L.A. Clippers W 113–109 McNichols Sports Arena 8–2
11 November 19, 1985 Houston W 127–113 McNichols Sports Arena 9–2
12 November 21, 1985 L.A. Lakers W 121–120 McNichols Sports Arena 10–2
13 November 23, 1985 Sacramento W 122–118 McNichols Sports Arena 11–2
14 November 24, 1985 @ Seattle L 84–110 Seattle Center Coliseum 11–3
15 November 26, 1985 Chicago L 123–128 McNichols Sports Arena 11–4
16 November 27, 1985 @ Golden State L 102–104 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 11–5
17 November 29, 1985 @ Utah W 129–114 Salt Palace Acord Arena 12–5
18 November 30, 1985 Seattle L 123–131 (2OT) McNichols Sports Arena 12–6
December: 7–6 (home: 5–1; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
19 December 3, 1985 @ New York L 94–111 Madison Square Garden 12–7
20 December 4, 1985 @ Indiana W 119–105 Market Square Arena 13–7
21 December 6, 1985 @ Philadelphia W 123–121 The Spectrum 14–7
22 December 7, 1985 @ Cleveland L 114–124 Richfield Coliseum 14–8
23 December 11, 1985 L.A. Clippers W 134–95 McNichols Sports Arena 15–8
24 December 13, 1985 L.A. Lakers W 124–120 McNichols Sports Arena 16–8
25 December 14, 1985 @ Dallas L 100–127 Reunion Arena 16–9
26 December 17, 1985 Golden State W 122–114 McNichols Sports Arena 17–9
27 December 19, 1985 Portland W 123–118 McNichols Sports Arena 18–9
28 December 21, 1985 San Antonio L 118–128 McNichols Sports Arena 18–10
29 December 22, 1985 @ Portland L 114–121 Memorial Coliseum 18–11
30 December 28, 1985 @ San Antonio L 112–116 HemisFair Arena 18–12
31 December 30, 1985 Houston W 125–122 McNichols Sports Arena 19–12
January: 8–8 (home: 6–1; road: 2–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
32 January 3, 1986 @ Seattle L 107–117 Seattle Center Coliseum 19–13
33 January 4, 1986 @ Sacramento L 107–112 ARCO Arena 19–14
34 January 7, 1986 Dallas W 132–110 McNichols Sports Arena 20–14
35 January 9, 1986 Seattle W 94–90 McNichols Sports Arena 21–14
36 January 11, 1986 Utah W 114–106 McNichols Sports Arena 22–14
37 January 13, 1986 @ Milwaukee W 119–115 MECCA Arena 23–14
38 January 15, 1986 @ Boston L 100–123 Boston Garden 23–15
39 January 17, 1986 @ Detroit L 113–129 Pontiac Silverdome 23–16
40 January 18, 1986 @ New Jersey L 113–124 Brendan Byrne Arena 23–17
41 January 21, 1986 @ Utah L 114–117 (OT) Salt Palace Acord Arena 23–18
42 January 22, 1986 New Jersey W 137–124 McNichols Sports Arena 23–19
43 January 24, 1986 San Antonio L 98–113 McNichols Sports Arena 24–19
44 January 25, 1986 @ L.A. Lakers W 127–115 The Forum 25–19
45 January 27, 1986 Cleveland W 124–103 McNichols Sports Arena 26–19
46 January 28, 1986 @ Sacramento L 120–125 ARCO Arena 26–20
47 January 30, 1986 New York W 102–97 McNichols Sports Arena 27–20
February: 9–4 (home: 7–0; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
48 February 1, 1986 Milwaukee W 116–113 McNichols Sports Arena 28–20
49 February 3, 1986 @ Houston L 102–104 The Summit 28–21
50 February 4, 1986 Portland W 119–118 McNichols Sports Arena 29–21
51 February 6, 1986 @ San Antonio W 100–95 HemisFair Arena 30–21
All-Star Break
52 February 12, 1986 @ Dallas L 110–117 Reunion Arena 30–22
53 February 14, 1986 @ Phoenix L 95–112 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 30–23
54 February 15, 1986 Golden State W 113–100 McNichols Sports Arena 31–23
55 February 18, 1986 Washington W 101–90 McNichols Sports Arena 32–23
56 February 20, 1986 Boston W 102–100 McNichols Sports Arena 33–23
57 February 22, 1986 Dallas W 113–106 McNichols Sports Arena 34–23
58 February 24, 1986 @ Portland W 119–113 Memorial Coliseum 35–23
59 February 25, 1986 Phoenix W 112–99 McNichols Sports Arena 36–23
60 February 27, 1986 @ Houston L 111–117 The Summit 36–24
March: 8–7 (home: 6–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
61 March 1, 1986 Philadelphia L 107–118 McNichols Sports Arena 36–25
62 March 4, 1986 Houston W 128–115 McNichols Sports Arena 37–25
63 March 7, 1986 Indiana W 134–117 McNichols Sports Arena 38–25
64 March 9, 1986 @ L.A. Clippers W 123–121 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 39–25
65 March 11, 1986
5:30 p.m. MST
@ Atlanta L 116–128 English (38) English (9) Evans (5) The Omni
8,905
39–26
66 March 13, 1986 @ Chicago L 102–112 Chicago Stadium 39–27
67 March 14, 1986 @ Washington W 101–91 Capital Centre 40–27
68 March 16, 1986 Sacramento W 119–113 McNichols Sports Arena 41–27
69 March 18, 1986 @ Sacramento L 113–117 ARCO Arena 41–28
70 March 19, 1986 Detroit W 114–98 McNichols Sports Arena 42–28
71 March 21, 1986 L.A. Clippers W 115–104 McNichols Sports Arena 43–28
72 March 23, 1986 @ Golden State L 111–113 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 43–29
73 March 25, 1986 L.A. Lakers L 115–121 McNichols Sports Arena 43–30
74 March 26, 1986 @ Utah L 101–116 Salt Palace Acord Arena 43–31
75 March 28, 1986 Utah W 128–120 McNichols Sports Arena 44–31
April: 3–4 (home: 1–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
76 April 1, 1986 @ Portland L 110–127 Memorial Coliseum 44–32
77 April 3, 1986 @ Dallas L 114–115 Reunion Arena 44–33
78 April 6, 1986 @ San Antonio W 124–106 HemisFair Arena 45–33
79 April 7, 1986 @ Phoenix W 131–123 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 46–33
80 April 9, 1986 @ L.A. Clippers L 127–132 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 46–34
81 April 10, 1986 Phoenix W 115–113 McNichols Sports Arena 47–34
82 April 12, 1986 Utah L 99–117 McNichols Sports Arena 47–35
1985–86 schedule

Playoffs

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1986 playoff game log
First round: 3–1 (home: 1–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 18, 1986 Portland W 133–126 Calvin Natt (40) Danny Schayes (11) English, Lever (9) McNichols Sports Arena
13,209
1–0
2 April 20, 1986 Portland L 106–108 Alex English (24) Blair Rasmussen (9) Alex English (10) McNichols Sports Arena
11,724
1–1
3 April 22, 1986 @ Portland W 115–104 Blair Rasmussen (15) Calvin Natt (11) Fat Lever (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
2–1
4 April 24, 1986 @ Portland W 116–112 Fat Lever (30) T. R. Dunn (11) Alex English (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 26, 1986 @ Houston L 119–126 Alex English (34) Schayes, Natt (7) English, Lever (9) The Summit
15,448
0–1
2 April 29, 1986 @ Houston L 101–119 Blair Rasmussen (18) Wayne Cooper (9) Mike Evans (7) The Summit
16,016
0–2
3 May 2, 1986 Houston W 116–115 Alex English (33) Danny Schayes (8) Alex English (5) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
1–2
4 May 4, 1986 Houston W 114–111 (OT) Alex English (28) Wayne Cooper (9) Turner, Hanzlik (5) McNichols Sports Arena
14,152
2–2
5 May 6, 1986 @ Houston L 103–131 Alex English (27) Blair Rasmussen (12) Fat Lever (4) The Summit
16,016
2–3
6 May 8, 1986 Houston L 122–126 (2OT) Alex English (42) Danny Schayes (14) Fat Lever (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
2–4
1986 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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See also

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