The Denver Nuggets first appeared in the NBA in 1949-50, but that team had nothing to do with the ABA franchise that changed its name from Rockets to Nuggets in 1974-75. Chosen as one of four ABA teams to merge into the NBA in 1976, the second edition of the Nuggets has thrived in its new league, making 12 NBA Playoff appearances in 16 NBA seasons. DID YOU KNOW? The 1981-82 Nuggets, who set the NBA mark for highest scoring average in a season (126.5 points per game) are the only team ever to score more than 100 points in every game of the season. In a 1984 NBA Playoff game with Utah, three Nuggets scored more than 30 points, still the NBA record. SCORECARD. Against Detroit on April 9, 1978, three-time NBA All-Star David Thompson scored a club-record 73 points, a total only Wilt Chamberlain has surpassed in an NBA game.