In a stunning turn of events, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and appointed lead assistant David Adelman as interim head coach, just days before the 2025 NBA playoffs. The news broke via ESPN’s Shams Charania on X, with the dismissal of Malone announced on April 8, followed swiftly by Adelman’s appointment. With NBA rosters set to lock on April 14 and the playoffs starting April 19, the timing of this shake-up has left fans and analysts reeling.
Malone, the winningest coach in Nuggets history since joining in 2015, led the team to their first NBA championship in 2023 against the Miami Heat, with Nikola Jokić earning Finals MVP honors. However, tensions between Malone and GM Calvin Booth, which surfaced in 2024, may have contributed to this decision, hinting at deeper organizational issues despite the team’s past success. This isn’t Malone’s first abrupt exit—he was sacked by the Sacramento Kings in 2014, a move he later criticized for its handling.
Stepping into the interim role is David Adelman, who has served as Malone’s lead assistant since 2017. Adelman, the son of NBA coaching legend Rick Adelman, is known for his offensive expertise, drawing from his father’s innovative strategies with the early 2000s Sacramento Kings. He previously filled in as interim coach in 2023 during Malone’s absence due to health protocols, earning praise for his leadership. However, with the playoffs looming, Adelman faces immense pressure to steady a team in transition.
