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[Saba Sports News] Michael Malone had been the only head coach Nikola Jokic had known in the NBA — until now. But it appears that their long-standing partnership may have reached its end.
On Tuesday, Matt Moore of Action Network reported on Jokic’s involvement in the surprising firing of Malone by the Denver Nuggets.
According to Moore, Jokic did not ask for a coaching change and was only informed of the decision shortly before it was made public. Still, Jokic’s clear frustration throughout the season reportedly factored into the team’s decision.
Malone had coached the Nuggets since 2015 — the same year Jokic was drafted. Under his leadership, Jokic became a seven-time All-Star, three-time MVP, and the driving force behind Denver’s 2023 championship run.
But this season has been a different story. The Nuggets have lost every game in April so far, falling to 47-32 and teetering on the edge of the play-in tournament. Rumblings of tension between Malone and GM Calvin Booth — who was also dismissed on Tuesday — had persisted for months.
As for Jokic, he’s voiced frustration since the start of the season. While it would be out of character for him to directly call for a coaching change, it seems his body language and demeanor spoke volumes to team ownership.
Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke has hinted at the reasons behind the shake-up, but with just three games left in the regular season, the move marks a bold gamble for a team led by one of the league’s premier stars.