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Denver Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke is speaking out after making the shocking decision to fire head coach Michael Malone just weeks before the start of the NBA playoffs.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Malone, alongside Nuggets GM Calvin Booth, had been fired by the team.
Via Shams Charania/X
The Denver Nuggets are also firing general manager Calvin Booth, sources tell ESPN. Michael Malone and Booth both out today.
Lead assistant David Adelman will serve as the interim head coach for the Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.
Shortly after the firings, Kroenke released a statement to the media explaining his decision to moveon .
“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver.”
Fans blasted Kroenke for firing Malone.
how does firing your coach a WEEK before the postseason to “allow you to compete at the highest level right now?”
you can sell this in the offseason, absolutely not right now https://t.co/fQwMfIYdID
— coopz (@Coopz___) April 8, 2025
What championship level organization fires a coach 2 weeks before the playoffs? And then expects to get a championship level coach? https://t.co/Ap6mWgEO32
— A Man is No One (@JLaCour__) April 8, 2025
It’s still unclear how Nikola Jokic and other Nuggets players feel about Kroenke’s decision to fire Malone.