Denver Nuggets play in final ABA game | May 13, 1976 | Colorado’s Top 150 Sports Moments
Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.
Leading into the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.
For Nos. 50 to 1, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati coordinated a 19-member committee to rank in order what they considered the top moments. The No. 1 moment will be revealed July 31. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.
No. 42 — May 13, 1976
Game 6 of the championship series between the Nuggets and the New York Nets was the final game in the American Basketball Association. Down 3-2, Denver needed a win to force a Game 7 in Colorado, and it appeared to be happening, as the Nuggets led 80-58 midway through the third quarter. But the Nets cut the lead to 92-78 entering the fourth, then outscored Denver 34-14 in the period to win the game and title, 112-106. David Thompson (42 points) and Dan Issel (30) did their part, but Julius Erving (31), John Williamson (28) and Brian Taylor (24) rallied the Nets. Denver and New York, along with Indiana and San Antonio, would join the NBA the next season as the ABA was dissolved.
—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame histori