2008–09 Denver Nuggets season
The 2008–09 Denver Nuggets season was the 42nd season of the franchise, 33rd in the National Basketball Association. They finished the regular season with 54 wins and 28 losses, the franchise's best record since 1987–88. In the playoffs, the Nuggets defeated New Orleans Hornets in five games in the first round; this series included a notable 58-point bludgeoning of the Hornets in Game 4. The Nuggets then defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Western Conference Semifinals to reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 1985, ending their streak of five straight first-round exits. However, the Nuggets lost to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, ending their playoff run. This was the second straight year the Nuggets had their season ended by the Lakers.
As of May 2019, the Nuggets' six-game loss to the Lakers in the 2009 Western Conference Finals was the closest the team has ever come to reaching the NBA Finals.Key dates
During the first week of the season, superstar guard Allen Iverson was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb. McDyess was released soon after the trade.Draft picks
The Denver Nuggets had no draft picks in the 2008 NBA draft, but did acquire the draft rights of Sonny Weems from the Chicago Bulls. Weems was the 39th pick of the draft.Roster
Regular season
Standings
Game log
Playoffs
Game log
Player statistics
Season
Playoffs
Awards and records
Awards
Records
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Additions
Player | Signed | Former team |
Chris Andersen | July 24 | New Orleans Hornets |
Dahntay Jones | July 31 | Sacramento Kings |
Mateen Cleaves | September 30 | Bakersfield Jam |
Smush Parker | September 30 | Los Angeles Clippers |
Nick Fazekas | September 30 | Los Angeles Clippers |
James Mays | September 30 | Clemson Tigers |
Ruben Patterson | September 30 | Los Angeles Clippers |
Juwan Howard | October 3 | Dallas Mavericks |
Jason Hart | March 3 | Los Angeles Clippers |
Subtractions