On Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets made a surprising move that left NBA fans astonished.

According to ESPN's Shams Charaina, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and announced they will not extend general manager Calvin Booth's contract two years after winning the first world championship in franchise history.

"While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship-level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now," Denver Nuggets owner John Kroenke said in press release.

"Championship-level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver.

"There is no amount of gratitude that we can properly convey for his contributions since he joined our franchise in 2015. It is with our utmost respect that we would like to thank Coach Malone for the most successful decade in Nuggets history, setting the all-time wins record and helping deliver Denver our first championship."

Here is what Kroenke had to say about Booth:

"I want to thank Calvin Booth for leading our front office for the past three years and, most importantly, for helping put the final pieces in place for the roster that delivered Denver and our fans their first NBA Championship. Calvin’s knowledge of the game, his passion for scouting, and his long history as a player and executive in the NBA helped lift our organization to new heights, which we will continue moving forward. We are grateful to Calvin for his eight years with the Nuggets and know his place in Nuggets history as our first championship-winning GM will be honored for years to come."

According to ESPN, Malone's firing with three games remaining is tied for the latest coaching change in NBA history, matching Hubie Brown with the Atlanta Hawks in the 1980-81 season. It comes more than a week after the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on the eve of the NBA playoffs, which begins April 15 with the play-in tournament. 

BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets have fired coach Michael Malone, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bZoKRx6kgt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025

After coaching the Nuggets for nearly a decade, Malone leaves Denver with a 471-327 regular season record, as his head coaching wins are a franchise record. David Adelman will take over the Nuggets as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He spent the first eight seasons in Denver as an assistant coach for Malone.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Nuggets have a 47-32 record and are fourth in the Western Conference standings and second in the Northwest Division. Denver has lost its last four straight games, three of which were close ones.

Evan Sidery of Forbes highlights the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets as key examples of the importance of alignment between a general manager and a head coach. Before the playoffs began, both teams experienced significant changes, with their head coaches and general manager losing their jobs.

It's well known in league-wide circles that Malone and Booth are not particularly fond of each other and the Nuggets felt their working relationship could no longer continue. Ownership obviously did not feel strong enough about one's reservations over the other's in terms of the franchise's direction.  

Leaguewide Reactions to Nuggets' Shocking Firing 

Former Denver Nuggets head coach and hall of famer George Karl, who coached the team from 2005-13 and was fired the year he won the Coach of the Year award, sent several posts on X, formerly Twitter. It begins with one emoji that has a shocked face.

"Owners used to want to see players traded, players cut or system adjustments when things are off," Karl posted. "Now it seems easier to just fire the coach. On the other hand, if the coach wasn’t making adjustments and the GM wasn’t making moves, maybe firing both of them is the only choice."

Before the Phoenix Suns takes on the Golden State Warriors in the Valley, head coach Mike Budenholzer praised Malone for his success with Denver as head coach.

"Shocking again, to use your word," Budenholzer said. "This league is tough to win a championship. To have all the success he's had to build the program that he's built. The individual success for their players, the organizational success, he's just a great coach. The proof is in everything he's done."