The Montana Golden Nuggets were a professional men's basketball team based in Great Falls, Montana, that competed in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1980 to 1983. The franchise played its home games at Four Seasons Arena.
History
The Golden Nuggets were founded in 1980 and were coached by future longtime NBA coach George Karl, who earned CBA Coach of the Year honors in both the 1981 and 1983 seasons.
1980–81 Season
The team posted a 27–15 record, finishing first in the CBA Western Division. Led by players such as John Douglas, Phil Taylor, Willie Smith, and Geoff Crompton, the Nuggets advanced to the CBA Finals, where they were swept four games to none by the Rochester Zeniths.
1981–82 Season
Montana improved to 30–16, with a roster featuring Ronnie Valentine, Walter Jordan, U.S. Reed, Robert Smith, Kenny Dennard, and Terry Stotts. However, the team lost in the conference finals to in-state rival the Billings Volcanos.
1982–83 Season
The Nuggets posted their best regular-season record at 33–11 (.750), again finishing first in the Western Division. They returned to the CBA Finals but lost to the Detroit Spirits in a hard-fought seven-game series (3–4).
Team Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| League | Continental Basketball Association (CBA) |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Folded | 1983 |
| Location | Great Falls, Montana |
| Home Arena | Four Seasons Arena |
| Team Colors | Gold, Brown, White |
| Head Coach | George Karl |
| Conference Titles | 2 (1981, 1983) |
Season-by-Season Record
| Season | GP | W | L | Pct. | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–81 | 42 | 27 | 15 | .643 | 1st CBA Western Division | Lost CBA Finals (0–4) |
| 1981–82 | 46 | 30 | 16 | .652 | 2nd CBA Western Division | Lost Conference Finals |
| 1982–83 | 44 | 33 | 11 | .750 | 1st CBA Western Division | Lost CBA Finals (3–4) |
Legacy
The Montana Golden Nuggets were one of several short-lived CBA franchises in Montana during that era, alongside the Billings Volcanos (later the Billings RimRockers) and the Butte Daredevils. In late 2006, the CBA returned to Great Falls in the form of the Great Falls Explorers.
