While the other three former ABA teams initially struggled with life in the NBA, the Nuggets struck gold right away winning their first eight games on the way to capturing the Midwest Division with a solid record of 50-32. Along the way the Nuggets would lead the NBA in attendance with 17,150 fans per game.

However, in the playoffs the Nuggets would be stunned by the Portland Trailblazers in six games after having earned a first round bye.