Why did the Nuggets fire Michael Malone? Denver makes unprecedented decision days before playoffs

With days left in the 2024-25 season, the Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone.

Malone is less than two years removed from leading Denver to its first-ever NBA title and had led the team to a 47-32 record in the season. The decision comes with just three games remaining on the Nuggets’ schedule and the postseason one week away. It is tied for the latest firing in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

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In a corresponding move, the franchise announced that it will not extend the contract of general manager Calvin Booth, who held the role for three seasons and will not return after this year.

Here is more on Denver’s unprecedented decision.

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Why did the Nuggets fire Michael Malone?

The Nuggets fired Malone as the team was in the midst of a four-game losing streak late in the season.

Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, offered this statement on Malone’s firing, explaining that it was done “with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship.”

This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere.

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.

During an appearance on SportsCenter, Charania said, “They felt like the signs were there that this season was not going to end well,” to explain Denver’s decision, adding that the franchise was getting ahead of what it planned on doing this offseason.

“They felt like the signs were there that this season was not going to end well.”@ShamsCharania with more insight on the Nuggets firing head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. pic.twitter.com/rlR6xdoX9E

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 8, 2025

With the playoffs quickly approaching, Denver is in danger of falling out of the top six in the Western Conference and participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

The Nuggets have dealt with a rash of injuries to key players but Nikola Jokic has been performing at an all-world level, posting averages of 45.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.7 assists while appearing in three of four games during the skid.

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Who is Nuggets’ interim coach?

Assistant coach David Adelman will step in as Denver’s interim head coach after Malone’s firing.

Adelman, the son of Hall of Fame head coach Rick Adelman, joined the Nuggets as an assistant coach in 2017. This is his 14th season on an NBA sideline after beginning with the Timberwolves in 2011.

This will be David Adelman’s first full-time head-coaching opportunity at the NBA level.

NBA Playoff standings

X = clinched playoff spot

Michael Malone coaching record

Malone was fired before completing his 10th season at the helm in Denver. He amassed a 471-327 (.590) record with the Nuggets and is the winningest coach in franchise history.

This story will be updated.