The Denver Nuggets shocked the world on Tuesday when they fired head coach Michael Malone just days before the playoffs.
What could push them to make such a drastic decision with the postseason looming?
Speaking on “Get Up,” Brian Windhorst got into the drama that was brewing behind the scenes and why the Nuggets’ ownership thought now was the time to get rid of Malone.
Windhorst said that ownership felt winning some games in the playoffs would just continue “masking” the problems plaguing Denver.
If they go into the playoffs and Nikola Jokic “carries them,” it’ll avoid addressing serious issues about Malone and the team.
In other words, the Nuggets had their minds made up and didn’t want Malone to find some postseason success and “wiggle out of this.”
Why did the Nuggets fire HC Michael Malone? @WindhorstESPN has more ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/n535aeVEYf
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 9, 2025
Windhorst also added that the Nuggets were contemplating firing Malone earlier in the season but then Denver went on a winning streak and it postponed their move.
It sounds like this was inevitable and Malone would be leaving the Nuggets one way or another.
Once the owners knew that was the case, they decided to make the commitment, and the headlines, now.
Windhorst agrees that this decision is unprecedented and unorthodox but, ultimately, Denver’s owners feel it was the right choice.
There were things they didn’t like about Malone and his coaching and his plans and they weren’t going to change.
How will this impact the Nuggets, and could it prevent them from finding success in the postseason?
That’s possible, but it’s hard to count this team out when Jokic is playing so well.
NEXT: Analyst Believes Nuggets Star Approved Of Michael Malone's Firing
