Mike Malone has been abruptly fired as the Denver Nuggets head coach in a jaw-dropping decision that comes just three games before the NBA playoffs. The team also dismissed general manager Calvin Booth alongside him, in what many are calling the most shocking development of the 2024–25 NBA season.
The team has named assistant coach David Adelman as the interim head coach, effective immediately.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said team president Josh Kroenke in an official statement. “It was evaluated very carefully, and done with the sole intention of giving our group the best chance to compete for the 2025 NBA Championship and deliver another title to our fans.”
Unprecedented Timing for Mike Malone’s Exit
The timing of Malone’s firing is particularly stunning. According to ESPN, it ties the NBA record for the latest coaching dismissal in league history, alongside Hubie Brown in the 1980-81 season. However, there’s a stark contrast—Brown’s Atlanta Hawks had a losing record (31-48), while Malone’s Nuggets were firmly in the playoff mix.
Denver currently sits fourth in the Western Conference, locked in a tight race with several teams. Their remaining matchups — at Sacramento, home vs. Memphis, and away at Houston — will determine whether they secure a top-six seed or risk slipping into the play-in tournament.
“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship-level program,” Kroenke added. “But this is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now.”
A Look Back at Mike Malone’s Historic Nuggets Tenure
Mike Malone, 53, leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Denver. He became the winningest coach in franchise history, recording 471 regular-season wins, 44 playoff victories, and delivering the Nuggets’ first-ever NBA title just two years ago.
Over his 10-year tenure, Malone not only led the team to consistent playoff appearances — including what would have been a seventh straight postseason berth this year — but also played a pivotal role in developing Nikola Jokic into a three-time (and potential four-time) NBA MVP.
Joining the Nuggets in the 2015-16 season after a short stint with the Kings, Malone quickly turned Denver into a Western Conference powerhouse.
“There is no amount of gratitude that can truly reflect what Coach Malone has meant to our franchise,” Kroenke said. “His record-setting decade with us and the title he helped bring to Denver will never be forgotten.”
Calvin Booth Also Out as Nuggets Restructure Leadership
Alongside Malone, the team also let go of GM Calvin Booth — a surprising move, given that he built the 2023 championship roster.
Booth, a former 10-year NBA veteran, had been with the Nuggets since the 2020-21 season and stepped into the GM role in recent years. This season marked the final year of his contract, according to Chris Haynes.
“Calvin’s understanding of the game, his eye for talent, and his executive leadership helped take this team to new heights,” Kroenke said. “We are forever grateful for his role in delivering Denver’s first NBA championship.”
Despite the chaos just days before the postseason, the Nuggets are pushing forward with their championship goals — now without the leadership duo that helped make those dreams a reality.
