| 2022–23 Denver Nuggets season | |
|---|---|
NBA champions | |
Conference champions | |
Division champions | |
| Head coach | Michael Malone |
| General manager | Calvin Booth |
| President | Josh Kroenke |
| Owner(s) | Ann Walton Kroenke |
| Arena | Ball Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 53–29 (.646) |
| Place | Division: 1st (
Northwest) Conference: 1st ( Western) |
| Playoff finish |
NBA Champions (Defeated Heat 4–1) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | Altitude Sports and Entertainment |
| Radio | KKSE |
The 2022–23 Denver Nuggets season was the 47th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season culminated in a win in the NBA Finals, their first title in franchise history, including their time in the ABA.
On April 5, 2023, the Nuggets clinched the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history. [1] In the first round of the playoffs, the Nuggets eliminated their division rivals, the Minnesota Timberwolves, in five games. In the conference semifinals, they defeated the 4th seeded Phoenix Suns in six games to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in four years. The Nuggets made the Finals for the first time in history by sweeping the 7th seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Finals to advance to the 2023 NBA Finals.
On June 12, 2023, Denver won their first championship in franchise history after a 94–89 win against the Miami Heat, defeating them in 5 games. They joined the San Antonio Spurs as the only former ABA franchises to win a championship in the NBA, although neither team had won a title in the old league.
Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position(s) | Nationality | College / Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | Christian Braun | SG |  United States
|
Kansas |
The Nuggets own their first round pick; [2] their second-round pick was traded to Minnesota via Philadelphia.
Roster
| 2022–23 Denver Nuggets roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standings
Division
| Northwest Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c – Denver Nuggets | 53 | 29 | .646 | – | 34–7 | 19–22 | 10–6 | 82 |
| x – Minnesota Timberwolves | 42 | 40 | .512 | 11.0 | 22–19 | 20–21 | 8–8 | 82 |
| pi – Oklahoma City Thunder | 40 | 42 | .488 | 13.0 | 24–17 | 16–25 | 9–7 | 82 |
| Utah Jazz | 37 | 45 | .451 | 16.0 | 23–18 | 14–27 | 6–10 | 82 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 20.0 | 17–24 | 16–25 | 7–9 | 82 |
Conference
| Western Conference | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | c – Denver Nuggets * | 53 | 29 | .646 | – | 82 |
| 2 | y – Memphis Grizzlies * | 51 | 31 | .622 | 2.0 | 82 |
| 3 | y – Sacramento Kings * | 48 | 34 | .585 | 5.0 | 82 |
| 4 | x – Phoenix Suns | 45 | 37 | .549 | 8.0 | 82 |
| 5 | x – Los Angeles Clippers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 9.0 | 82 |
| 6 | x – Golden State Warriors | 44 | 38 | .537 | 9.0 | 82 |
| 7 | x – Los Angeles Lakers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 10.0 | 82 |
| 8 | x – Minnesota Timberwolves | 42 | 40 | .512 | 11.0 | 82 |
| 9 | pi – New Orleans Pelicans | 42 | 40 | .512 | 11.0 | 82 |
| 10 | pi – Oklahoma City Thunder | 40 | 42 | .488 | 13.0 | 82 |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 15.0 | 82 |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | 37 | 45 | .451 | 16.0 | 82 |
| 13 | Portland Trail Blazers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 20.0 | 82 |
| 14 | Houston Rockets | 22 | 60 | .268 | 31.0 | 82 |
| 15 | San Antonio Spurs | 22 | 60 | .268 | 31.0 | 82 |
Game log
Preseason
| 2022 preseason game log Total: 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–23 preseason schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular season
| 2022–23 game log Total: 53–29 (Home: 34–7; Road: 19–22) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 4–3 (home: 3–0; road: 1–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 10–4 (home: 3–2; road: 7–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 9–5 (home: 7–1; road: 2–4)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 12–4 (home: 10–1; road: 2–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 9–3 (home: 5–0; road: 4–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 7–7 (home: 4–3; road: 3–4)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–23 season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 2023 playoff game log Total: 16–4 (Home: 10–1; Road: 6–3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Round: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conference Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 playoff schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Player statistics
| 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 |
Regular season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Braun | 76 | 6 | 15.5 | .495 | .354 | .625 | 2.4 | .8 | .5 | .2 | 4.7 |
| Bruce Brown | 80 | 31 | 28.5 | .483 | .358 | .758 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.1 | .6 | 11.5 |
| Thomas Bryant | 18 | 1 | 11.4 | .485 | .444 | .722 | 3.3 | .1 | .1 | .4 | 4.6 |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 76 | 76 | 31.3 | .462 | .423 | .824 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.5 | .5 | 10.8 |
| Vlatko Čančar | 60 | 9 | 14.8 | .476 | .374 | .927 | 2.1 | 1.3 | .4 | .2 | 5.0 |
| Aaron Gordon | 68 | 68 | 30.2 | .564 | .347 | .608 | 6.6 | 3.0 | .8 | .8 | 16.3 |
| Jeff Green | 56 | 4 | 19.5 | .488 | .288 | .744 | 2.6 | 1.2 | .3 | .3 | 7.8 |
| Bones Hyland | 42 | 1 | 19.5 | .399 | .378 | .866 | 2.0 | 3.0 | .7 | .3 | 12.1 |
| Reggie Jackson | 16 | 2 | 19.9 | .383 | .279 | .833 | 1.8 | 3.1 | .6 | .1 | 7.9 |
| Nikola Jokić | 69 | 69 | 33.7 | .632 | .383 | .822 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 1.3 | .7 | 24.5 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 39 | 8 | 15.0 | .765 | 1.000 | .458 | 5.2 | .9 | .3 | .6 | 5.1 |
| Jamal Murray | 65 | 65 | 32.8 | .454 | .398 | .833 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 1.0 | .2 | 20.0 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 53 | 5 | 13.7 | .561 | .262 | .645 | 2.6 | .3 | .3 | .4 | 5.2 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 62 | 62 | 29.0 | .487 | .414 | .800 | 5.5 | 1.0 | .6 | .5 | 17.4 |
| Davon Reed | 35 | 1 | 9.0 | .313 | .364 | .750 | 1.6 | .5 | .4 | .1 | 2.3 |
| Ish Smith | 43 | 0 | 9.3 | .397 | .167 | .500 | 1.3 | 2.3 | .2 | .2 | 2.5 |
| Peyton Watson | 23 | 2 | 8.1 | .492 | .429 | .550 | 1.6 | .5 | .1 | .5 | 3.3 |
| Jack White | 17 | 0 | 3.9 | .421 | .333 | .667 | 1.0 | .2 | .2 | .1 | 1.2 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Braun | 19 | 0 | 13.0 | .533 | .200 | .579 | 2.1 | .6 | .6 | .2 | 3.2 |
| Bruce Brown | 20 | 0 | 26.6 | .511 | .316 | .857 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | .5 | 12.0 |
| Thomas Bryant | 1 | 0 | .5 | – | – | – | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 20 | 20 | 33.5 | .457 | .380 | .829 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 | .7 | 10.6 |
| Vlatko Čančar | 5 | 0 | 2.0 | .000 | .000 | – | .6 | .2 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Aaron Gordon | 20 | 20 | 35.6 | .518 | .391 | .652 | 6.0 | 2.6 | .6 | .7 | 13.3 |
| Jeff Green | 20 | 0 | 17.2 | .452 | .321 | .895 | 1.6 | .7 | .3 | .4 | 4.1 |
| Reggie Jackson | 6 | 0 | 3.0 | .500 | .500 | – | .3 | .3 | .2 | .0 | .5 |
| Nikola Jokić | 20 | 20 | 39.4 | .548 | .461 | .799 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 30.0 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 4 | 0 | 3.4 | .667 | – | .500 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | .3 | 1.3 |
| Jamal Murray | 20 | 20 | 39.9 | .473 | .396 | .926 | 5.7 | 7.1 | 1.5 | .3 | 26.1 |
| Zeke Nnaji | 5 | 0 | 2.4 | .500 | .333 | – | .4 | .0 | .2 | .0 | 1.0 |
| Michael Porter Jr. | 20 | 20 | 32.6 | .423 | .351 | .793 | 8.1 | 1.6 | .5 | .6 | 13.4 |
| Ish Smith | 4 | 0 | 2.9 | .500 | – | – | .3 | .3 | .0 | .0 | .5 |
| Peyton Watson | 5 | 0 | 2.7 | .400 | .500 | – | .8 | .2 | .0 | .2 | 1.0 |
Transactions
Overview
| Players Added Via draft Via trade Via free agency |
Players Lost Via trade Via free agency |
Trades
| June 23, 2022 [3] [4] | To
Denver Nuggets Draft rights to Peyton Watson (No. 30) 2023 second-round pick [b] 2024 second-round pick [c] |
To
Oklahoma City Thunder JaMychal Green 2027 protected first-round pick [d] |
| July 6, 2022 [5] [6] | To
Denver Nuggets Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Ish Smith |
To
Washington Wizards Will Barton Monté Morris |
| July 6, 2022 [7] | To
Denver Nuggets Draft rights to Ismaël Kamagate (No. 46) |
To
Portland Trail Blazers 2024 second-round pick [e] |
| February 9, 2023 [8] [9] [10] [11] | Four-team trade | |
| To
Denver Nuggets Thomas Bryant (from Lakers) |
To
Los Angeles Clippers Bones Hyland (from Denver) | |
| To
Los Angeles Lakers
Mo Bamba (from Orlando) |
To
Orlando Magic
Patrick Beverley (from Lakers) | |
Free agency
Re-signed
| Date | Player | Signed | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 7, 2022 | Vlatko Čančar | 3-year contract | [12] |
| July 8, 2022 | Nikola Jokić | 5-year extension | [13] |
| July 9, 2022 | Davon Reed | 2-year contract | [14] |
| July 17, 2022 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 2-year extension | [15] |
Additions
| Date | Player | Former team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2022 | Collin Gillespie ( two-way) | Villanova | [16] |
| July 7, 2022 | Bruce Brown | Brooklyn Nets | [17] |
| July 12, 2022 | DeAndre Jordan | Philadelphia 76ers | [18] |
| July 19, 2022 | Jack White ( two-way) |
Melbourne United
|
[19] |
| February 14, 2023 | Reggie Jackson | Charlotte Hornets | [20] |
Subtractions
| Date | Player | Reason left | New team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2022 | Bryn Forbes | Free Agent | Minnesota Timberwolves | [21] |
| July 17, 2022 | Markus Howard | Free Agent |
Saski Baskonia
|
[22] |
| July 21, 2022 | Austin Rivers | Free Agent | Minnesota Timberwolves | [23] |
| October 18, 2022 | Facundo Campazzo | Free Agent | Dallas Mavericks | [24] |
| April 11, 2023 | DeMarcus Cousins | Free Agent |
Guaynabo Mets
|
[25] |
Notes
- ^ Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.
- ^ The second-best of the picks originally belonging to Oklahoma City, Washington, and Dallas/Miami (better of the two).
- ^ The better of the picks originally belonging to Charlotte and Minnesota.
- ^ At least two years after Denver conveys its pick to Orlando, it will convey this pick to Oklahoma City. The earliest possible date is 2027 (if No. 6–30), rolling over to 2028 and 2029 with same protection; if not conveyed by 2029, it will convert to Denver's 2029 second-round pick.
- ^ The better of the picks originally belonging to Charlotte and Minnesota.
References
- ^ Sarles, Jesse (April 5, 2023). "Denver Nuggets clinch No. 1 seed in NBA's Western Conference for first time in franchise history". CBS News. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- ^ "2022 NBA Draft Order". NBA.com. May 19, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ Gutterman, Ron (June 23, 2022). "Nuggets Acquire Peyton Watson In Trade With Thunder". NBA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "Thunder Acquires Jamychal Green and Protected 2027 First-Round Draft Pick". NBA.com. June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ "NUGGETS ACQUIRE KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE AND ISH SMITH". NBA.com. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ Filyo, Jackson (July 6, 2022). "Wizards acquire Morris and Barton in trade with Denver". NBA.com. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Trail Blazers Acquire 2024 Second-Round Pick From Denver". NBA.com. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "DENVER NUGGETS ACQUIRE CENTER THOMAS BRYANT". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "LA Clippers Acquire Hyland from Denver Nuggets". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Lakers Acquire Mo Bamba and Davon Reed". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Magic Acquire Patrick Beverley, Future Second Round Draft Pick and Cash Considerations as Part of a Four-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Resign Vlatko Čančar". NBA.com. July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Nikola Jokić to Contract Extension". NBA.com. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Davon Reed". NBA.com. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "Nuggets Sign Caldwell-Pope to Contract Extension". NBA.com. July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "NUGGETS SIGN COLLIN GILLESPIE TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT". NBA.com. July 3, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign Bruce Brown". NBA.com. July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets Sign DeAndre Jordan". NBA.com. July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ "Nuggets Sign Jack White to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
- ^ "DENVER NUGGETS SIGN REGGIE JACKSON". NBA.com. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Stanton, Matt (July 12, 2022). "Timberwolves Sign Bryn Forbes". NBA.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ "Markus Howard, nuevo director de juego de Cazoo Baskonia". ACB.com. July 17, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ Stanton, Matt (July 21, 2022). "Timberwolves Sign Austin Rivers". NBA.com. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ Sefko, Eddie (October 18, 2022). "MAVERICKS SIGN CAMPAZZO, ROSTER FULL AT 17". NBA.com. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
- ^ "DeMarcus Cousins joins Guaynabo Mets in Puerto Rican league". USA Today. April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Denver Nuggets.