Denver Nuggets players grew tired of Michael Malone giving Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray “preferential treatment,” an NBA source told Hoops Wire. 

Players were tired of Michael Malone's ‘preferential treatment’

Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images John Hefti-Imagn Images

The Nuggets fired Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday.

David Adelman will take over as interim coach for Denver.

Whenever Jokic or Murray made mistakes on the defensive end, Malone would rarely call them out in film sessions. Other players, though, were routinely bashed for messing things up.

The Nuggets are 25th in the NBA in points per game allowed and 19th in defensive rating this season.

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“It is with no pleasure that we announce that we have relieved Michael Malone of his head coaching duties, effective immediately,” Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said.

“David Adelman will assume our head coaching role for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere.”

According to NBA insiders Tony Jones, Sam Amick and Zach Powell of The Athletic, Jokic is frustrated with the Nuggets‘ defensive commitment and performance.

Denver is in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

Jokic and Murray helped the Nuggets win the 2023 championship against the Miami Heat. Denver failed to defend its title last season, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.

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Jokic and Murray have spent their entire careers with the Nuggets. Malone had a soft spot for both stars, which sometimes prevented him from criticizing them in front of the team.

That rubbed Denver players the wrong way.

Malone has the most wins in Nuggets franchise history. He’s expected to command a lot of interest on the open market.

Malone has coached the Sacramento Kings and Nuggets. He’s 510-394 in the regular season and 44-36 in the playoffs.