The Denver Nuggets have fired the top coach the led the franchise to its first ever NBA championship solely two years in the past days earlier than the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In a shocking announcement, Michael Malone has been fired by Denver with solely three video games remaining within the common season. Denver was driving a four-game dropping streak on the time of the firing.
Denver has additionally fired common supervisor Calvin Booth. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the information. The NBA continues to be making an attempt to make sense of it.
Full clear out: The Denver Nuggets are additionally firing common supervisor Calvin Booth, sources inform ESPN. Michael Malone and Booth each out right now. pic.twitter.com/FvqOAFyOKy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025
David Adelman is the Nuggets’ new interim head coach.
Is firing a profitable head coach simply earlier than the playoffs the newest NBA development? Malone’s firing comes after the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins late final month. Malone’s firing is much more surprising contemplating he’s received an NBA championship with Denver.
Malone and Booth had some variations of opinion over current years, and now each are out. Booth needed Malone to play and develop the youthful gamers he had drafted. Malone most popular veterans. No one might have seen this finish coming so shortly after Denver’s 2023 title run.
What will Nikola Jokic consider this? The celebrity massive man is within the working for his fourth NBA MVP award, and his profession has blossomed below Malone. Denver has been in a tailspin ever since Russell Westbrook hijacked Jokic’s 61-point triple-double in a current loss to the Timberwolves. Westbrook has had an enormous function within the rotation below Malone. Will that change below a brand new head coach?
Denver is combating for its life when it comes to Western Conference playoff seeding. We’ll replace this story because it develops.