Nikola Jokic said Michael Malone's firing by the Denver Nuggets was a "heavy day" for everyone connected with the franchise.

The Nuggets took the decision to fire Malone on Tuesday, mere weeks before the start of the playoffs, with general manager Calvin Booth also departing.

That was despite the team boasting a 47-32 record for the season and retaining a good chance of having home-court advantage for their first game in the postseason.

Denver won their first game under interim coach David Adelman on Wednesday, beating the Sacramento Kings 124-116.

Asked about Malone's departure after that game, Jokic said: "It was a 10-year relationship, so it was a heavy day for everybody, probably especially for him and his family.

"But I would say it's part of the business.

"When someone wants to make a personnel change or change energy, that's probably what they do."

Jokic also revealed he was informed of the decision "a little bit before everybody else", having held conversations with owners Stan and Josh Kroenke.

Nikola dropping wisdom postgame pic.twitter.com/XFPsAnLMhi
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 10, 2025

Serbian star Jokic finished with his 33rd triple-double of the season to lead the Nuggets to victory against Sacramento, and Adelman moved to reassure the Denver faithful.

He said: "We are still in the mix, and I think people forget that.

"Pundits keep thinking we didn’t make the playoffs or whatever, but we still have a great chance to do something special. We’ve talked about it, and the guys seem convinced."

Adelman has served as an assistant coach for the Nuggets for eight seasons, and he is determined to build on Malone's legacy.

"What he did for this team, the best coach in history," he said of his predecessor.

"Percentage-wise, wins, finals... the championship. The experience he gave me, eight years allowing me to grow as a coach... you can't argue with it."