In a move that’s caught the NBA world by surprise, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the regular season wraps.
Despite sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record and a playoff spot within reach, the organization has opted for a dramatic shift in leadership with only three games remaining before the postseason.
Denver’s season is on the line
The timing couldn’t be more unexpected.
Malone, who helped guide the franchise to its first-ever NBA championship just two seasons ago, has been a central figure in building Denver into a legitimate title contender.
Yet, a four-game losing streak and a recent 3-7 skid appear to have tested the front office’s patience at the worst possible time. Assistant coach David Adelman will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Team owner and vice chairman Josh Kroenke emphasized that the decision was not made lightly.
In a statement, he acknowledged Malone’s decade-long tenure and role in the team’s rise to prominence, but underscored that maintaining championship standards was the driving force behind the change.
“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,”Kroenke said.
The Nuggets are currently part of a razor-thin playoff race, with seeds four through eight in the Western Conference separated by just half a game.
While Nikola Jokic continues to produce at an MVP-caliber level, the team hasn’t been able to translate his individual brilliance into consistent wins.
Adding to the drama, veteran guard Russell Westbrook has been under scrutiny after a series of late-game errors, despite his overall contributions throughout the season.
With the postseason picture still fluid, his play, along with Adelman’s interim leadership, could shape how far this team goes in the weeks ahead.
As Denver navigates this pivotal stretch, questions loom about the franchise’s long-term direction.
But for now, the focus remains on salvaging a playoff run amid one of the most surprising front office shakeups in recent NBA memory.
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