Nikola Jokic Expresses Frustration with Denver Nuggets Amid Startling Sacking of Head Coach Michael Malone

The Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA world on Tuesday when Michael Malone was sacked as head coach. Malone owns the most wins in Nuggets history. He also guided the franchise to the 2023 championship. Denver has three games remaining in the regular season against the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets. Nikola Jokic and company are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.

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Nikola Jokic Frustrated with Nuggets Season

The first word from Jokic on the Malone dismissal will come after Wednesday's game between the Nuggets and the Kings. However, there have already been some leaks regarding three-time MVP complaints with the franchise.

According to The Athletic, Jokic has been frustrated with the Nuggets' defensive commitment and performance this season. "But league sources said there had been significant frustration within the locker room at how the Nuggets were playing, particularly defensively," per The Athletic. "The Nuggets were just 20th in defensive rating. Jokic has been frustrated with the team's defensive commitment and performance this season." Denver is 25th in the NBA in points per game allowed and 22nd in defensive rating. The team is giving up 117.1 points per contest.

Jokic leads the Nuggets in defensive rating with 110.9. It appears that the seven-time All-Star wants his colleagues to improve their defense going forward. Jokic, 30, is averaging 30.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists this season. He shoots 57.7% from the field, 41.5% from three, and 80.3% from the free throw line.

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Denver Nuggets Release Statement After Sacking Head Coach and GM

Here's what Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke had to say on the decision to pull the trigger with the playoffs looming.

"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," Kroenke said in a statement.

"While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver."