Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is known for his passionate reactions when his team falters defensively, and their recent 145-118 loss to the New York Knicks was no exception. The defeat, which set a record for the highest-scoring regulation game by an opponent during Malone’s 10-year tenure, left him visibly frustrated. Postgame, he refused to downplay the setback, emphasizing that the team couldn’t simply “flush” it away. Malone’s frustration stemmed from the Nuggets’ lack of defensive effort and toughness, which he cited as critical factors in the blowout loss.
Malone’s irritation was heightened by the Nuggets’ inconsistent play this season. While a season-opening 102-87 loss to Oklahoma City elicited a more measured reaction, the Knicks’ rout prompted Malone to address the team’s flaws head-on. He called out the starting lineup and urged stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to take on greater leadership roles. Malone also criticized the team’s transition defense, which allowed New York to dominate on the fast break, warning that such performances would derail their playoff aspirations.
This season, Denver has struggled with inconsistency on both ends of the court. After 16 games, they ranked eighth in offense and 17th in defense, with particularly poor first-half play leaving them 29th in first-half net rating. The loss to the Knicks dropped the Nuggets into a tie with Phoenix for seventh place in the competitive Western Conference. Malone has repeatedly stressed the importance of developing an identity centered on physicality and leadership, especially given their home struggles. Denver has already lost more home games this season than during their championship run last year, including a pivotal playoff loss to Minnesota.
Jokic, playing at an MVP level with a 30-point triple-double average, acknowledged the team’s poor performance, while Jamal Murray suggested their focus might have been affected by lingering excitement from a recent win over the Lakers. Murray also noted the team’s lack of energy, echoing Malone’s concerns about effort. He emphasized that responsibility for the loss rested with the players rather than the coaching staff or game plan.
Malone has consistently highlighted issues with effort and focus throughout the season, particularly following tough losses like the 105-90 defeat to Memphis and a 123-120 loss to Dallas. He has expressed frustration with the expectation that Jokic should carry the team, emphasizing the need for contributions from every player. Despite these challenges, Jokic remains optimistic, viewing these tough losses as potential wake-up calls for the team as they work to regain their rhythm.
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