It didn’t matter that the Denver Nuggets were on the verge of securing a playoff spot—the front office made the surprising decision to fire head coach Michael Malone. Despite the shockwave this decision sent through the organization, the team responded with a strong performance, defeating the Sacramento Kings 124-116, as Nikola Jokic led the team.
With a 48-32 record, the Nuggets sit comfortably in third place in the Western Conference standings, just one win away from officially locking in their playoff position. Despite the shakeup, Jokic and his teammates appeared unfazed, showing their composure on the court with the victory over the Kings.
The firing of Malone came as a shock to many within the Nuggets community, leaving reporters, former players, and analysts stunned. However, Jokic seemed less surprised than most. The star center shared a revealing insight about the decision during his postgame interview, offering a glimpse into his conversation with Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke.
“I knew a little bit before everybody else,” Jokic said. “(Kroenke) told me, ‘We made a decision.’ It wasn’t a discussion, it was a decision, and he explained why. I listened, and I accept it.” Jokic refrained from elaborating on the specifics of Kroenke’s reasoning for the firing.
Director of Arsenal Josh Kroenke (R) and Tim Lewis Executive Vice-Chair of Arsenal (L) during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024 in London, England.
Why Did the Nuggets Fire Malone despite their success?
The Nuggets’ decision to part ways with Malone came as a surprise, especially given the team’s recent success. The reasons behind the move were not immediately clear, as the organization did not provide specific details in their announcement. Nuggets owner released a statement explaining the decision but left the rationale somewhat vague.
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“This decision was not made lightly, and it was evaluated very carefully. We are doing this with the goal of giving our team the best chance to compete for the 2025 NBA Championship and deliver another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” Kroenke said.
Kroenke added: “While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone played a pivotal role in building the foundation of our championship-caliber program, it is a necessary step to ensure we can compete at the highest level moving forward. Championship-level standards and expectations remain for the current season, and as we look to the future, we aim to build on the foundation Malone laid during his record-breaking 10-year tenure in Denver.”
With that statement, the Nuggets officially closed a chapter that saw Malone lead Denver to its first-ever NBA championship in the 2022-2023 season. Under his leadership, the Nuggets made the playoffs six times, with two trips to the Western Conference Finals.
What’s next for the Nuggets?
Denver is on the verge of another playoff appearance, needing just one more win to secure their spot. The team will then await its next opponent. Following Malone’s departure, the players appeared to remain focused, understanding the main objective: bringing another NBA title to Denver.
“David Adelman will assume the head coaching role for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season,” Kroenke stated. Under Adelman’s guidance, the Nuggets will aim to overcome their rivals and reach the NBA Finals for the first time in three years.
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