The Denver Nuggets are bringing back a blast from the past, debuting special ABA 50th Anniversary Classic Edition uniforms this season. The orange throwback threads honor the franchise's history as the Denver Rockets in the American Basketball Association. This news comes as the team continues its preseason schedule, most recently securing a 133-128 win over the Chicago Bulls on October 11.
All four surviving ABA franchises-the Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and Brooklyn Nets-will wear similar classic kits. The Nuggets' version is a direct nod to the Rockets' orange road uniforms from the 1970s. It features an arched "DENVER" wordmark outlined in white and the team's original Rockets logo.
The league is approaching a major historical milestone. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the ABA merging with the NBA. The Nuggets, along with the Pacers, Nets, and Spurs, were the four teams that made the jump in 1976. Wearing these uniforms is a league-wide initiative to celebrate that shared legacy and the ABA's unique impact on professional basketball.
Denver's own path to the NBA required a name change. In 1974, the franchise switched from the Denver Rockets to the Denver Nuggets to avoid confusion with the NBA's existing Houston Rockets. That final ABA season was a strong one, as the Nuggets made it all the way to the ABA Finals.
The design is a faithful recreation of the team's 1970s aesthetic. The vibrant orange base makes the uniforms stand out, a deliberate choice over the white home version. The classic font and original logo complete the retro look. Fans eager to get their own piece of this history won't have to wait long. The team confirmed that the jerseys and related merchandise will be available for purchase starting October 19.
On the court, the Nuggets will sport the throwbacks for nine games this season. Seven of those appearances will be at Ball Arena in front of the home crowd. It's a significant number of games, ensuring the tribute gets plenty of visibility throughout the campaign.
While honoring history, the current Nuggets are fine-tuning their game for the present. Their preseason results show a team working through its rotations. After a 97-109 loss to the Utah Jazz on October 4, they bounced back with a 117-106 victory over the same Jazz team on October 6. Their latest outing was a high-scoring 133-128 win against the Chicago Bulls.
The focus now shifts to the next test on the schedule. The Nuggets wrap up their preseason slate with a road game against the LA Clippers on October 14. After that, all attention turns to the regular season and defending their place among the NBA's elite.
This uniform release connects the franchise's colorful past with its championship-present ambitions. For a team built on a strong identity, celebrating its roots adds another layer to the culture in Denver.
