The Denver Nuggets have fired coach Michael Malone after nearly 10 seasons, ESPN's Shams Charania reported. Charania noted Malone was fired in a meeting on Tuesday.
This news stunned the NBA world as the Nuggets currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 47–32 record. Denver will now be preparing for the NBA playoffs without Malone leading them. The Nuggets only have three regular season games left before the postseason begins. Assistant coach David Adelman will serve as interim in Malone's place.
Malone led the franchise to its first NBA title in 2023. He leaves the franchise as the team's winningest coach in history with a 510–394 record.
BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets have fired coach Michael Malone, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bZoKRx6kgt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025
The Nuggets later released a statement regarding Malone's firing
"It is with no pleasure that we announce that we have relieved Michael Malone of his head coaching duties, effectively immediately," Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment said. "... This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere."
On top of firing Malone on Tuesday, the Nuggets also fired general manager Calvin Booth. Fans are overall really puzzled about what led Denver to part ways with both Malone and Booth at this point in the season.
It's important to note that Malone is the only head coach three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has played for as both Malone and Jokic joined the Nuggets in 2015. They've been quite the coach-player duo during that time.
More NBA on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Nuggets Shockingly Fire Coach Michael Malone With Three Games Remaining.
