The 2005-06 Denver Nuggets season was the team's 40th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 49-33 output from the previous season. However, they came five games shy of tying it, finishing 44–38, but qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season. However, the Nuggets would be eliminated by the Los Angeles Clippers in the First Round in five games. In spite of regressing from last year's 49–33, the Nuggets won the division due to the presence of mediocrity.