NEW YORK: In a shocking late-season move, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and announced that general manager Calvin Booth’s contract will not be renewed.
Assistant coach David Adelman will take over for the remainder of the season.
Malone, who guided the Nuggets to their first NBA title in 2023 and led them to eight consecutive winning seasons, was one of the league's longest-tenured coaches.
He exits with a franchise-record 471 regular-season wins.
Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said the decision was made “with no pleasure” but with the aim of boosting the team's chances of competing for the 2025 NBA Championship.
Despite a 47–32 record this season, the Nuggets have lost four straight and are scrambling for playoff positioning.
The team is assured of at least a play-in spot, but the firing signals urgent expectations for a deep postseason run.
Kroenke praised Malone’s contributions but emphasized the need for “championship-level standards” as the franchise looks to build on his legacy.
[Reported by BBC Sports News]
