Wed Apr 09 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Nuggets Shock NBA with Firing of Championship Coach Michael Malone

**Denver, CO –** In a stunning move just days before the NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth. The decision, announced Tuesday, comes despite the team’s 47-32 record and a current spot in the playoff race. Malone, who led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship in 2023 and oversaw eight consecutive winning seasons, will be replaced on an interim basis by his long-time assistant, David Adelman.

Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, stated that the decision, while difficult, was made with the intention of maximizing the team’s chances for a 2025 championship. He acknowledged Malone’s contribution to building the championship-caliber team but emphasized the need to meet “championship-level standards and expectations.”

Reports suggest tension between Malone and Booth regarding the team’s direction, particularly concerning the integration of younger players and the departure of veteran players from the championship team. Malone’s tenure was the fourth-longest among active NBA coaches. He compiled a 471-282 regular-season record in Denver and played a pivotal role in the development of Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP.

While the Nuggets are currently fighting for playoff seeding, their recent four-game losing streak may have contributed to the decision. Malone himself took responsibility for the team’s struggles, stating that he needed to improve his coaching.

Booth’s contract will not be renewed. Kroenke praised Booth’s contributions to the team, acknowledging his role in building the championship roster. The Nuggets’ playoff run will be their seventh consecutive, having reached the Western Conference Finals in 2020 and won the championship in 2023. This marks the second instance in two weeks of a playoff-bound team firing its coach; Memphis recently dismissed Taylor Jenkins. The Nuggets’ future direction under Adelman and a new general manager remains to be seen.

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