NBA fans were shocked by learning that the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday.
Amid a four-game losing streak and a 47-32 record, the Nuggets parted ways with two prominent figures within the franchise with only three games left on the schedule.
Days after the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins in another surprising move, the Nuggets followed through and released the coach and general manager who led them to their first and only NBA championship in 2023.
Full clean out: The Denver Nuggets are also firing general manager Calvin Booth, sources tell ESPN. Michael Malone and Booth both out today. pic.twitter.com/FvqOAFyOKy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025
After Shams Charania shared the report on X, fans’ reactions didn’t take long to arrive.
Many were surprised by the decision and wanted to know what transpired behind the scenes.
“Tripled checked not CENTEL,” one fan said.
“Holy (expletive) what???” another fan said.
“No (expletive) way,” a third fan said.
“WHAT IS GOING ON,” a fourth fan said.
“HOW IS THIS NOT CENTEL???” a fifth fan said.
“WHAT THE (expletive)? This close to the playoffs????” a sixth fan said.
In 10 seasons with the team, Malone posted a 471-327 record, becoming the winningest head coach in franchise history. They had secured a top-three finish in the Western Conference in four of the last five seasons, but the Nuggets’ recent stretch was a cause of concern among fans.
Booth was hired as the team’s assistant manager in 2017 before being promoted to general manager in 2020. He put together the squad that won the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2023 after surrounding Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray with notable pieces to secure the championship.
This story is still developing as no more details were shared about why the Nuggets came to this decision.