The 1989–90 NBA season was the Nuggets' 14th season in the National Basketball Association, and 23rd season as a franchise. The Nuggets got off to a fast start winning 11 of their first 15 games, on their way to a solid 19–9 start, and holding a 26–20 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team acquired Joe Barry Carroll from the New Jersey Nets. However, they began to show their age as they barely made the playoffs with a mediocre record of 43–39, fourth in the Midwest Division.