[1] During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Kenyon Martin from the New Jersey Nets.
Coming off their first playoff appearance in nine years, the Nuggets got off to a shaky start at 13–15.
Cooper was then replaced with George Karl, who then led the Nuggets with a 32–8 record for the remainder of the season, including a ten-game winning streak in April.
Second-year star Carmelo Anthony led them in scoring with 20.8 points per game.
The Spurs then defeated the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the NBA Finals, winning their third championship in franchise history.