Malone coached the Nuggets for 10 seasons and led the team to a title in 2023, the first in franchise history. David Adelman, an assistant on Malone's staff, took over as interim coach following the longtime coach's sudden departure. The Nuggets finish their regular season Sunday against the Houston Rockets as they battle for playoff positioning.

The Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA when they fired head coach Michael Malone shortly before the start of the playoffs, but there was reportedly some internal frustration from the players regarding his style that may have contributed to the move.

David Adelman’s father roamed the sidelines of Sacramento in the early 2000s. In an awkward situation this week, it was at least poetic that Adelman’s opportunity as the Nuggets’