Nuggets announce shock firing of Malone less than two years after NBA title

• Team say decision not taken lightly'
• Malone was on run of eight straight winning seasons

Michael Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023 and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons, was fired on Tuesday in a stunning move that comes with less than a week in the regular season.

Also out is general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed. The Nuggets said Malone's long-time assistant coach, David Adelman, will take charge for the rest of the season. ESPN reported on Tuesday that there had been tension between Malone and Booth over the direction of the team as the Nuggets integrated younger players and let veterans of the title run leave.