The Final ABA Finals: 1976 Showdown Between the New York Nets and Denver Nuggets

The 1976 ABA Finals marked the end of an era. It was the swan song for the American Basketball Association, a league that had spent nearly a decade as a brash, high-flying alternative to the NBA, bringing innovations such as the three-point shot, the slam dunk contest, and a flair for showmanship that reshaped professional basketball. The final ABA championship series, played between the New York Nets and Denver Nuggets, encapsulated everything the league represented: star power, drama, offensive firepower, and a struggle for legitimacy.

Background: A League in Flux

By 1976, the ABA was on life support. Financial instability, uneven television exposure, and franchise relocations had weakened the league, but talent was never in short supply. The New York Nets were led by the electrifying Julius “Dr. J” Erving, a transcendent star and the league’s marquee attraction. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets were a well-balanced powerhouse featuring all-star talents like David Thompson, Dan Issel, and Bobby Jones, coached by the savvy Larry Brown.

The series would ultimately determine not only the final ABA champion but also which franchise would carry the final banner into the NBA merger that followed in June 1976.

Team Paths to the Finals

New York Nets: The Nets, coached by Kevin Loughery, finished the regular season at 55–29, second in the ABA. Julius Erving, in the prime of his career, averaged 29.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists during the season, winning his third ABA MVP. The Nets powered through the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals, with Erving averaging over 34 points per game in a thrilling 7-game series.

Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets, boasting the league’s best record at 60–24, were a juggernaut on both ends of the floor. Dan Issel’s interior scoring and rebounding, David Thompson’s electrifying athleticism, and Bobby Jones’ defense made them formidable. After surviving a tough 6-game series against the Kentucky Colonels, Denver looked poised to finally win their first ABA title.

The 1976 ABA Finals: Game-by-Game Breakdown

Game 1 – May 1, 1976 (at Denver)

Nuggets 120, Nets 110 Denver took the opener behind a complete team performance. David Thompson scored 27 points and set the tone early with his soaring dunks, while Dan Issel added 22. Julius Erving led the Nets with 33 points, but Denver’s depth and defensive focus on Dr. J paid off. Bobby Jones shadowed Erving all night and forced the ball out of his hands frequently.

Game 2 – May 4, 1976 (at Denver)

Nets 127, Nuggets 121 Erving exploded for 48 points in a performance that even the hostile Denver crowd had to admire. With the Nuggets up late in the fourth, Erving scored 18 points in the final 9 minutes, single-handedly erasing the deficit. John Williamson chipped in 28 points, and the series was tied.

Game 3 – May 6, 1976 (at New York)

Nets 117, Nuggets 111 The series moved to Nassau Coliseum, and the crowd was electric. Once again, Erving dominated, putting up 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Williamson remained a steady second option with 22. Dan Issel had 26 for Denver, but the Nuggets couldn’t contain the Nets in transition. The Nets took a 2–1 series lead.

Game 4 – May 8, 1976 (at New York)

Nuggets 121, Nets 117 (OT) In what many consider the most thrilling game of the series, Denver clawed out a win in overtime. David Thompson had a game-high 34 points and hit a clutch jumper to force OT. In the extra session, Bobby Jones came up with a key steal and dunk to seal the win. The series was now tied 2–2.

Game 5 – May 11, 1976 (at Denver)

Nets 117, Nuggets 114 Back in Denver, Game 5 was a war of attrition. Erving once again dazzled with 43 points, including a vicious baseline dunk over two defenders late in the game. Denver’s frontcourt struggled with foul trouble, and though Issel and Thompson combined for 51, they couldn’t keep up with Dr. J’s heroics. The Nets had a chance to clinch at home.

Game 6 – May 13, 1976 (at New York}

Nets 112, Nuggets 106 In front of a raucous home crowd, the Nets sealed the final ABA championship. Julius Erving delivered one of the most iconic performances of his career: 31 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 4 blocks. His presence was overwhelming on both ends. John Williamson again provided timely scoring with 28 points. The Nuggets battled valiantly—Issel scored 30—but they could not overcome Erving’s dominance.

John Williamson (28pts) vs. Nuggets (1976 ABA Finals/Last ABA Game)

Series MVP: Julius Erving

Erving was unanimously named Finals MVP. In the 6-game series, he averaged a jaw-dropping 37.7 points, 14.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. His mix of grace, power, and basketball IQ was unmatched and left an indelible mark on basketball history. It was a performance worthy of closing a league.

Legacy and Aftermath

• Merger Looms: Just a month after the series concluded, the ABA-NBA merger was finalized. The Nets, Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs were absorbed into the NBA. The Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis were left out.

• Nets’ Transition Turmoil: The Nets struggled financially and were forced to sell Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers just before the 1976–77 NBA season—a move that devastated the fan base but reshaped Philly into a title contender.

• Denver’s Rise in the NBA: Denver would go on to be one of the strongest former ABA teams in the early NBA years, making the playoffs consistently under coach Larry Brown.

Conclusion: The Final ABA Curtain Call

The 1976 ABA Finals weren’t just a battle between two basketball teams—they were a final celebration of a league that had redefined the game. The series had it all: legendary performances, tight finishes, high-octane offenses, and unforgettable players. It gave basketball fans one last taste of the ABA’s bold spirit before it disappeared into history—and it gave Julius Erving a final platform to solidify his legend as the face of a revolutionary league.

In the final act of the ABA, the Nets walked off with the trophy—but the ABA itself, wild and imperfect, was the true winner.