Denver Nuggets: 15 greatest playoff moments of all-time

1. No. 8 beats No. 1: Robert Pack, Nuggets stun SuperSonics

• 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals
• May 7, 1994 (KeyArena, Seattle, WA)
• Denver Nuggets 98, Seattle SuperSonics 94

Of course, this was going to be No. 1. Was there any doubt, honestly? When you think of the Nuggets’ most memorable playoff moment, you think of star center Dikembe Mutombo rolling around on the floor in a state of pure elation after Denver shocked the then-Seattle SuperSonics in the 1994 NBA Playoffs.

But what made this postseason moment so memorable and so iconic in the lore of Denver hoops? It is multi-pronged. One, this was the rise to NBA stardom for Mutombo. He was an outstanding player collegiately at Georgetown, but this series win over the Nuggets helped increased the legend of “Mount Mutombo.”

Two, Denver would go on one of the more underrated runs of the 1990s. The Nuggets shocked the SuperSonics in round one and nearly did the unthinkable of beating the Utah Jazz in round two down 0-3. But most importantly, this series legendary for Nuggets fans for this simple fact: Denver became the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a playoff series.

Seattle was then led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, being coached by future Nuggets head coach George Karl. The SuperSonics held a 2-0 series lead in this best-of-five series by taking the first two games at KeyArena. Denver would take both at McNichols Sports Arena to tie the series up at two games apiece, heading into a pivotal Game 5 in Seattle.

More from All-Time Lists

• 6 Worst Denver Nuggets starters of the Carmelo Anthony Era
• 14 Players the Denver Nuggets gave up on way too soon
• Denver Nuggets: What are the best logos in franchise history?
• Nuggets history: 3 all-time players we’re most thankful for
• What if the Nuggets had drafted Dirk?

Even though Mutombo had just eight points in that game, it was enough to help the Nuggets shock the SuperSonics in their 98-94 series-clinching victory. So if it wasn’t Mutombo who came up big in Game 5, who was it? That would be backup point guard Robert Pack.

Pack had a game-high 23 points coming off the Nuggets bench. He shot 8-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-5 from long-range. He also was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, adding four assists in his huge 36 minutes in relief of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

Since the Nuggets defeated the SuperSonics in 1994, the first-round of the NBA playoffs has been expanded to a best-of-seven series. Though it is still a rare occurrence for a No. 1 to fall to a No. 8, it does happen. Look no further than the No. 8 Golden State Warriors topping the No. 1 Dallas Mavericks back in 2007.

With Denver expected to win at least a playoff series this spring as one of the better teams in the Western Conference, maybe the Nuggets will have a playoff moment or two that will crack this top-15? For now, we can look back fondly on these 15 and hope for more great ones to come in the history of Nuggets basketball.