Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is hoisted by star player Nikola Jokic’s brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets General Manager & Executive VP Basketball Operations Mike Connelly shakes hands with Michael Malone, the new head coach of the Denver Nuggets before heading to the press conference June 16, 2015 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets General Manager & Executive VP Basketball Operations Mike Connelly, coach Michael Malone and President and Governor Josh Kroenke pose for a photo at a press conference June 16, 2015 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone talks wth Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during a break in the action against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 10, 2017 in Denver at Pepsi Center. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone goes over a play at the beginning of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center Jan. 27, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gathering his team as they head into overtime of their winner-take-all regular-season finale vs the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. April 11, 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post)
Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets raises his fist after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 90-86 game seven win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, April 27, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets speaks to Gary Harris (14) and Jamal Murray (27) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter on Friday, May 3, 2019. The Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trailblazers game three of their second round NBA playoff series at the Moda Center in Portland. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets works the clipboard before the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, May 9, 2019. The Denver Nuggets versus the Portland Trail Blazers in game six of the teams' second round NBA playoff series at the Moda Center in Portland. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone strategize against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Moda Center on Saturday, May 29, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone throws his hands in the air as Will Barton (5) and Nikola Jokic (15) attempt to contain Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-104 win at Ball Arena on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021.(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone holds back Nikola Jokic (15) seconds before Jokic earns a technical foul for running his mouth to the referee crew during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on Monday, May 24, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Malone head coach of the Denver Nuggets stands of the national anthem before the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena on Monday, June 7, 2021. The Phoenix Suns hosted the Denver Nuggets for game one of their best-of-seven NBA Playoffs series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nuggets president Tim Connelly, left, and head coach Michael Malone speak during a live podcast taping at Blake Street Tavern in Denver on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets walks with his arm around head coach Michael Malone at the close of the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets hugs head coach Michael Malone as he leaves the floor during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 122-109 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Jokic became the first player with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists during a regular season in NBA history. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone works out plays before the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth speak during the team’s training camp at the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California on Thursday, September 28, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone shoots and jokes around with Collin Gillespie during the team’s training camp at the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California on Wednesday, September 27, 2022. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets hangs out during NBA All Star game walkthrough at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets hangs out with LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers during NBA All Star game walkthrough at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone works against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone prepares before the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets gets helped up by head coach Michael Malone and teammate Christian Braun (0) during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 109-80 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone holds the trophy as Nikola Jokic (15) laughs with boyish glee amidst the chaos of celebratory pats and cheers from teammates after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 113-111 Western Conference finals game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday, May 22, 2023. The Nuggets swept the best-of-seven series 4-0 to advance to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets governor Josh Kroenke hugs head coach Michael Malone after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone hugs Jamal Murray (27) after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win over the Miami Heat at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone celebrate victory of the NBA Finals against Miami Heat with Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone celebrates during the team’s championship parade in downtown Denver on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and assistant Ryan Bowen ride atop a fire truck with their families during the team’s championship parade in downtown Denver on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone shows off his necklace during his team's victory parade at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone thank to the fans at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Denver Nuggets celebrates championship with thousands of fans. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone acknowledges the crowd after receiving his NBA championship ring before the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone embraces former player Bruce Brown (11) of the Indiana Pacers before Brown received his championship ring ahead of the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone speaks to members of the media before the first quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone speaks to the media before the first half against the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets enters the game as Michael Porter Jr. (1) exits, while head coach Michael Malone speaks with an official during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone interrupts a beef Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves was hashing out with referee Marc Davis (8) to lay into the official during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 6, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone explodes on referee Marc Davis (8) as Peyton Watson (8) and Aaron Gordon (50) hold him back during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 6, 2024. Malone took exception to a big body drive by Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets, which sent the Nugget flying and resulted in a no call. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone holds his nose bridge during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, May 10, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth, president Josh Kroenke and head coach Michael Malone speak during the team’s end-of-year press conference at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth listens as head coach Michael Malone speaks during the team’s end-of-year press conference at Ball Arena in Denver on May 23, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets takes a breath as he sits between assitant coaches Popeye Jones and David Adelman during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets calls a timeout during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets speaks with referee Brent Barnaky (36) as Jamal Murray (27) monitors the situation during the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets leaves the court after overtime of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 140-139 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is hoisted by star player Nikola Jokic’s brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the league and the winningest coach in Nuggets franchise history when he was fired on April 8, with just three games remaining before the 2025 playoffs. Malone leaves the Nuggets with a regular-season record of 471-324 in 10 years at the helm, plus 44 playoff wins and the team’s first and only NBA championship title in 2023.
