In a shocking turn of events, Denver Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke made the bold decision to fire both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just three games before the end of the season. Despite leading the team to their first championship in nearly 50 years, the discord between Malone and Booth over roster philosophies created toxicity within the organization, ultimately leading to their dismissal. Kroenke emphasized the need to rejuvenate the team's energy and positivity heading into the playoffs, even though the Nuggets were still in contention for home court advantage in the first round.
Following the firings, interim coach David Adelman led the Nuggets to three consecutive wins, securing a third straight 50-win season and clinching the fourth seed in the competitive Western Conference. Despite the abrupt changes, Kroenke expressed gratitude towards Malone and Booth while acknowledging the need to make decisions in the best interest of the organization moving forward. With the playoffs on the horizon, Kroenke announced a search for new leadership after the season, highlighting the importance of organizational cohesion and maximizing the team's potential as they aim for postseason success.