1980–81 Denver Nuggets season

The 1980–81 NBA season was the Nuggets 5th season in the NBA and their 14th season as a franchise.

Draft picks
The Denver Nuggets made twelve selections in the 1980 NBA Draft.

Season standings
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * San Antonio
 * L 112–113
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * Utah
 * L 121–125 (OT)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * Dallas
 * W 133–98
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * @ San Diego
 * W 129–116
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * @ Utah
 * L 115–117
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * Houston
 * L 117–119
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * Phoenix
 * L 94–117
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * @ Kansas City
 * L 122–125
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * @ Golden State
 * L 109–115
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–7
 * L 117–119
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * Phoenix
 * L 94–117
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * @ Kansas City
 * L 122–125
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * @ Golden State
 * L 109–115
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–7
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * @ Golden State
 * L 109–115
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–7
 * @ Golden State
 * L 109–115
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–7
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–7
 * 2–7


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * Seattle
 * W 123–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 3–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 123–121
 * The Forum
 * 4–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * @ Seattle
 * W 125–117
 * Kingdome
 * 5–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * New York
 * L 115–124
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * @ Chicago
 * W 130–126 (2OT)
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 6–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * @ Washington
 * L 92–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 6–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 111–118
 * Rutgers Athletic Center
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * Portland
 * W 125–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 7–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * @ Portland
 * L 103–122
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 7–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * Kansas City
 * W 134–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 8–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 113–131
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 8–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * @ San Diego
 * L 94–108
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 8–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * San Diego
 * W 113–109
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * @ Dallas
 * W 119–117 (OT)
 * Reunion Arena
 * 10–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * Los Angeles
 * L 123–124 (2OT)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * Kansas City
 * W 134–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 8–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 113–131
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 8–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * @ San Diego
 * L 94–108
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 8–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * San Diego
 * W 113–109
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * @ Dallas
 * W 119–117 (OT)
 * Reunion Arena
 * 10–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * Los Angeles
 * L 123–124 (2OT)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 9–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * @ Dallas
 * W 119–117 (OT)
 * Reunion Arena
 * 10–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * Los Angeles
 * L 123–124 (2OT)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * Los Angeles
 * L 123–124 (2OT)
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–14


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * Chicago
 * L 124–129
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * @ Utah
 * L 118–122
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 10–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * Golden State
 * L 114–119
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 10–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * @ Houston
 * L 108–111
 * The Summit
 * 10–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * Dallas
 * W 116–107
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 11–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 123–147
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 11–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * Kansas City
 * L 118–133
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 11–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 122–130
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 11–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * @ New York
 * L 114–120
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 11–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * @ Boston
 * L 128–136
 * Boston Garden
 * 11–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * @ Dallas
 * L 111–119
 * Reunion Arena
 * 11–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * Philadelphia
 * W 125–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 12–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * Indiana
 * W 127–110
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 11–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * @ New York
 * L 114–120
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 11–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * @ Boston
 * L 128–136
 * Boston Garden
 * 11–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * @ Dallas
 * L 111–119
 * Reunion Arena
 * 11–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * Philadelphia
 * W 125–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 12–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * Indiana
 * W 127–110
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * Philadelphia
 * W 125–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 12–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * Indiana
 * W 127–110
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24
 * Indiana
 * W 127–110
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–24


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * @ Portland
 * L 119–122
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 13–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * Phoenix
 * L 132–133
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 13–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * @ Houston
 * W 134–132
 * The Summit
 * 14–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * Utah
 * L 117–121
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 14–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * @ San Diego
 * W 130–116
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 15–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * @ Seattle
 * L 116–119
 * Kingdome
 * 15–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * Atlanta
 * W 135–132
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 16–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 102–128
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 16–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 123–122
 * Kemper Arena
 * 17–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * Houston
 * L 97–98
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 17–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * San Diego
 * L 116–125
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 17–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 105–110
 * The Forum
 * 17–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * San Antonio
 * W 129–115
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 18–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * Detroit
 * W 143–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 19–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Milwaukee
 * W 131–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * Houston
 * L 97–98
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 17–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * San Diego
 * L 116–125
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 17–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 105–110
 * The Forum
 * 17–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * San Antonio
 * W 129–115
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 18–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * Detroit
 * W 143–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 19–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Milwaukee
 * W 131–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 18–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * Detroit
 * W 143–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 19–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Milwaukee
 * W 131–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * Milwaukee
 * W 131–118
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–32


 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * @ Houston
 * L 128–135 (OT)
 * The Summit
 * 20–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * San Antonio
 * L 132–135
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 20–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * @ Utah
 * W 120–116
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 21–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * Golden State
 * W 135–125
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 22–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * @ Seattle
 * L 112–133
 * Kingdome
 * 22–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * Washington
 * L 110–115
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 22–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * Portland
 * W 162–143
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 23–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * Boston
 * L 118–120
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 23–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * Phoenix
 * W 127–126
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 24–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * Kansas City
 * W 129–109
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 25–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 129–133 (OT)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * New Jersey
 * W 140–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 26–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * Golden State
 * W 137–130
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 23–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * Phoenix
 * W 127–126
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 24–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * Kansas City
 * W 129–109
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 25–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 63
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 129–133 (OT)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * New Jersey
 * W 140–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 26–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * Golden State
 * W 137–130
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * New Jersey
 * W 140–123
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 26–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * Golden State
 * W 137–130
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38
 * Golden State
 * W 137–130
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 27–38


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * Cleveland
 * W 137–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 28–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * Los Angeles
 * W 123–114
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 29–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 112–131
 * The Spectrum
 * 29–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * @ Detroit
 * W 121–109
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 30–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * @ Indiana
 * L 119–129
 * Market Square Arena
 * 30–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * Portland
 * L 137–142
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 30–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 113–131
 * MECCA Arena
 * 30–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 117–119
 * The Omni
 * 30–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * Houston
 * W 138–127
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 31–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * Seattle
 * W 124–112
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 32–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 126–124 (2OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * @ Dallas
 * L 125–126
 * Reunion Arena
 * 33–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * Utah
 * W 113–108
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 34–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 125–123
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 35–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * Dallas
 * L 115–126
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 35–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * @ Golden State
 * W 142–139
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 148–146 (OT)
 * The Forum
 * 37–45
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 126–124 (2OT)
 * Kemper Arena
 * 33–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * @ Dallas
 * L 125–126
 * Reunion Arena
 * 33–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * Utah
 * W 113–108
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 34–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 125–123
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 35–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * Dallas
 * L 115–126
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 35–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * @ Golden State
 * W 142–139
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 148–146 (OT)
 * The Forum
 * 37–45
 * Dallas
 * L 115–126
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 35–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * @ Golden State
 * W 142–139
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 148–146 (OT)
 * The Forum
 * 37–45
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 148–146 (OT)
 * The Forum
 * 37–45
 * The Forum
 * 37–45
 * The Forum
 * 37–45