NBA World Reacts to Stunning Firing of Nuggets HC Michael Malone
April 8, 2025
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With less than a week until the end of the regular season, the Denver Nuggets made a shocking move: They fired their champion head coach, Michael Malone.
More Nuggets news: Nuggets Shockingly Fire Michael Malone Ahead of Playoffs
The decision to move on from Malone happened in a meeting on Tuesday morning when he was informed.
It is a move that is a head-scratcher. Not only the decision to let go of Malone, but the timing of it comes as a bigger shock. Many NBA players, former players, and fans took to X to share their opinions on the matter.
Reactions varied widely, but a mix of shock and uncertainty can best sum up the overall sentiment surrounding the situation.
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 24, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 24, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Isaac Wasserman/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images
More Nuggets news: How Michael Malone Firing Impacts Western Conference Standings with Playoffs Looming
Former players and All-NBA members Gilbert Arenas and Carmelo Anthony wasted no time reacting to the Nuggets’ decision to let go of Malone.
Current players were also stunned, including Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant, whose head coach, Taylor Jenkins, was fired just 11 days ago.
This league out of pocket man . WTH going on. Firing good coaches right before the playoffs is nasty work !
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) April 8, 2025
Fans on X were both roasting the Nuggets and were shocked by the decision.
Who’s your daddy now lil bro
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 8, 2025
I swear this era has the dumbest owners. This makes absolutely no sense.
— Jacob (@jacob_bbbbbb) April 8, 2025
The decision to part ways with Malone is nothing short of stunning—and that might still be putting it lightly.
Malone exits Denver not only as a championship-winning head coach but also as the league leader in victories over the past five seasons, racking up 252 wins. That mark places him ahead of notable names like Ty Lue of the Clippers (230), Steve Kerr of the Warriors (228), Tom Thibodeau of the Knicks (225), and Erik Spoelstra of the Heat (219).
During his tenure, Malone helped guide the Nuggets to eight straight winning seasons and six consecutive playoff appearances, firmly establishing the franchise as a perennial contender.
Across 798 games at the helm in Denver, the 53-year-old compiled a 471-327 regular season record, good for a .590 winning percentage. In postseason play, he led the Nuggets to a 44-36 mark—a .550 win rate—cementing his legacy as one of the most successful coaches in team history.
The Nuggets will now look to move onward and upward. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets’ search for a new head coach and general manager will be extensive and thorough.
The move to fire Malone might be the most shocking move this season, and that says a lot in a season that saw two other head coaches get fired and the Mavericks trade their superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
More NBA news: Nuggets Release Statement on Firing Michael Malone and Calvin Booth
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