Michael Malone Goes Off On 'Stupid A**' Question After Humiliating Nuggets Game 7 Loss
Sunday's Game 7 loss for the reigning champion Denver Nuggets reverberated into the postgame media session where Nuggets coach Michael Malone tore apart a reporter's question after asking how Malone ‘felt’ after the loss.
Considering the Nuggets once held a 20-point advantage in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets couldn't help but boil with bitterness, which manifested in Malone going off on the postgame mic. Denver lost, 98-90.
DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Denver Nuggets high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round 2 Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
"How hard is it to absorb a loss like this after going up 20?" the reporter asked Malone. The coach wasn't having it, scoffing at and criticizing the reporter's question.
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"The season's over. That’s what’s hard. F**k being up by 20… Stupid a** questions," Malone responded.
The loss wrapped a disjointed series for Denver. Starting the series stuck in an 0-2 hole, Denver ripped off three consecutive wins to restore seemingly all championship faith but ultimately crashed with all momentum on their side in the final game.
When it comes to who's at fault, Malone certainly tops the list, along with inconsistent production from role players. Even with superior personnel, Malone overlooked a need to maintain urgency inside the locker room, which showed in Denver's lethargic stints in this series.
On Sunday, Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray played their way out of total blame for the loss. They combined for 69 of Denver's 90 points. Jokic played 47 minutes on Sunday. The tandem also combined for seven turnovers.
(Did Michael Malone go too far with his answer? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
Forwards Michael Porter, Jr. and Aaron Gordon combined for 11 points, while the Nuggets bench pitched in with five total points.
Minnesota's ‘prove-it’ guys, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, played up to the moment, while budding star Anthony Edwards stepped in at the right moments to give Minnesota an edge.
Michael Malone couldn't help but sound off after Denver spoiled momentum from a 3-2 series advantage by losing two straight and fumbling the series.
Malone and his three-time MVP now face an offseason where they consider if this iteration of the Nuggets roster peaked with last year's championship and the Nuggets start to lure more star talent to Mile High.
As one of the more outspoken coaches in the league, Malone will have to face more detractors after losing this series, holding up the receipts of Malone's past smack-talking when the Nuggets were atop the NBA. Now they find themselves at the bottom of the mountain once again.
And the clock ticks on a pending NBA fine for Michael Malone's fiery response.
DENVER, CO - MAY 19: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets speaks to media members after the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Timberwolves' 98-90 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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