They finished the regular season with 54 wins and 28 losses, the franchise's best record since 1987–88.
The Nuggets then defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the Western Conference Semi-finals to reach the conference finals for the first time since 1985, ending their streak of five straight first-round exits.
However, the Nuggets lost to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, ending their playoff run.
[citation needed] This was the second straight year the Nuggets had their season ended by the Lakers.
[1] During the first week of the season, superstar guard Allen Iverson was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb.