Denver Nuggets

Lore & Background

The 2024–25 season saw the Nuggets clinch their seventh straight playoff berth on April 13 after defeating the Houston Rockets. In the playoffs, they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games, which included a buzzer-beating game-winning putback dunk from Aaron Gordon in Game 4. They subsequently lost to the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder in 7 games, despite a game-winning three-pointer from Gordon in Game 1. Nikola Jokić was voted second in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. On March 7, 2025, center Nikola Jokić became the first player in NBA history to record a 30–20–20 game, in an overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns. On April 8, with three games remaining in the regular season, the Nuggets announced they had fired both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, with Booth's contract not being renewed by that date. Their combined firings were made in relation to both Malone and Booth not getting along with each other well behind the scenes.

In Their Own Story

The altitude presses down on the court at Ball Arena as the home crowd roars, a sea of black and gold shaking the rafters. A Phoenix player dribbles up the floor, feeling the slight heaviness in his lungs, while Denver's center looms like a mountain peak near the rim. The buzzer sounds, not with a whistle, but with the collective exhale of thousands who know that winning here requires more than just skill; it demands heart forged in thin air.

Reader's Guide

Ball Arena offers a distinct, intimate atmosphere where fans are close to the action, often creating a deafening wall of sound during crucial moments. The venue's design emphasizes sightlines and energy, making every game feel like a high-stakes event. The rivalry with Phoenix has seen memorable shifts in momentum over the years. From the classic duels of the 1990s featuring Hall of Famers to modern clashes between superstar guards and centers, these games are defined by physical intensity and strategic adjustments. Key moments often involve buzzer-beaters or dominant defensive performances that decide divisional standings. Fans recall specific playoff series where the Nuggets' home-court advantage proved decisive, with the crowd's energy seemingly lifting the team in the fourth quarter. The history is a tapestry of close games, overtime thrillers, and the mutual respect between two franchises that consistently push each other to the limit.

Did You Know?

• On March 7, 2025, center Nikola Jokić became the first player in NBA history to record a 30–20–20 game, in an overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns.
• On April 8, with three games remaining in the regular season, the Nuggets fired both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.
• Aaron Gordon had a buzzer-beating game-winning putback dunk in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2025 playoffs.
• The Nuggets drew an average home attendance of 19,783, the 5th-highest of all NBA teams.
• Nikola Jokić was voted second in MVP voting behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.