Bennett Durando

Jalen Pickett is on a 9-2 run that started with a Jalen Pickett steal. Nuggets mobbed him on the sideline after Sacramento took a timeout.

New coach, same non-Jokic minutes.

Two consecutive alley-oops from Nikola Jokic to Aaron Gordon — first out of a Russell Westbrook/Jokic pick-and-roll, then out of a Jokic/Westbrook inverted. Nuggets lead 23-18 in Sacramento.

I asked David Adelman if the Nuggets' poor execution of their base coverage behind the initial pass is inherently related to needing to improve the "overall vibe," or if he thinks it's reasonable on such short notice to try anything different schematically to improve the defense. https://t.co/G0AH6bLxE3

Bennett Durando @BennettDurando

David Adelman wants to improve "our overall vibe." Wants locker room "to start to rely on each other in a more positive way. And constructive criticism is good, but I think there's gotta be a better way to communicate with our group. And that I think will lead to better play."

David Adelman wants to improve "our overall vibe." Wants locker room "to start to rely on each other in a more positive way. And constructive criticism is good, but I think there's gotta be a better way to communicate with our group. And that I think will lead to better play."

Acting head coach David Adelman on Michael Malone's 10-year Nuggets tenure: "Best coach in (franchise) history. Can't argue it. Percentage-wise. Wins. Finals championship. ... The national narrative, whatever it is, I look at it as a hell of a run. And he's not done."

Josh Kroenke spoke to the Nuggets' players yesterday in Denver. His message? Acting head coach David Adelman: "To be concise: 'Be better.'"

A new era of Nuggets basketball begins https://t.co/HcK1r7RlEs

RT @DanWoikeSports: Jason Kidd says that “some are comparing this to Babe Ruth, which is kinda cool” in regards to the Luka trade which is…

RT @BennettDurando: Michael Malone’s messaging wasn’t resonating with players by the end, while a rift b/w Malone and GM Calvin Booth led t…

A truly stunning day https://t.co/tGHpOBjKfm https://t.co/AF7A4Dvs3E

“Coaches don’t trust the front office. Front office don’t trust the coaches,” one Nuggets source said. The relationship between Michael Malone and Calvin Booth slowly frayed until suddenly, both were gone in an instant — with three games left in a season. https://t.co/mz8QREoSil

RT @MattDSchubert: THE BREAKUP The story from @BennettDurando https://t.co/nxceVeNMty @TroyRenck on Michael Malone: https://t.co/01W4Oal3…

Michael Malone’s messaging wasn’t resonating with players by the end, while a rift b/w Malone and GM Calvin Booth led to a culture in which coaches and front office staff felt they couldn’t trust each other. “It wasn't fun to be around that environment.” https://t.co/mz8QREoSil

The Nuggets and general manager Calvin Booth were "at the 1-yard line" on a contract extension early this season, but negotiations stalled after Booth didn’t agree to the Kroenkes’ offer, sources told @DenverPost. https://t.co/mz8QREoSil

Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone, general manager Calvin Booth with three games left in season https://t.co/mz8QREpq7T

The Nuggets have made both moves official: Statement from Josh Kroenke: “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.”