Former Nuggets coach Doug Moe dies at 87

Field Level Media|published: Tue 17th February, 15:22 2026

Feb 1965; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; North Carolina guard Doug Moe (35) in action during the 1965 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Doug Moe died on Tuesday at age 87.

"The Denver Nuggets organization was devastated to learn of the passing of legendary coach Doug Moe," the team said in a statement posted to social media. "Coach Moe was a one of a kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.

Known for his high-octane, high-scoring teams, Moe was named the NBA's Coach of the Year in 1987-88 and received the league's Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

He compiled a career record of 628-529 with the San Antonio Spurs (1976-80), Nuggets (1980-90) and Philadelphia 76ers (1992-93), making the postseason 12 times (33-50 record).

Denver reached the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons under Moe, reaching the Western Conference finals in 1985 and losing to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

The Nuggets paced the NBA in scoring six times on Moe's watch, and his 432 wins rank second in franchise history to Michael Malone (471).

"He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy," the team statement said.

Before transitioning to coaching, Moe was an All-American forward at North Carolina who played professionally in Italy and the ABA, where he was a three-time All-Star and won a league championship with the Oakland Oaks in 1968-69.

--Field Level Media

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