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Nuggets Begin Post-Malone Era Trying Not to Fall Apart vs. Kings
Following Tuesday’s stunning removal of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, the Denver Nuggets are headed to California to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, now under the leadership of interim coach David Adelman. With only three regular season games remaining, Denver finds itself in the middle of a Western Conference shake-up.
A four-game losing streak has dropped the Nuggets (47-32) into a six-team logjam, where teams are clawing for playoff seeding — either to secure home-court advantage or avoid falling into the play-in tournament. Heading into Tuesday’s games, Denver trailed the Los Angeles Lakers by 1.5 games and clung to a half-game lead over the Clippers, Warriors, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves.
This game could carry massive playoff implications — check out the NBA odds to see how Vegas is sizing things up.
Coaching Chaos & Roster Uncertainty
The Nuggets aren’t the only team shaking things up. Memphis fired coach Taylor Jenkins on March 28, and now Denver follows suit — despite Malone leading the team to its first-ever NBA title just two years ago. With 471 career wins, Malone departs as the winningest coach in Nuggets history.
Adelman, a long-time assistant and son of legendary NBA coach Rick Adelman, is now tasked with righting the ship. The 2025 playoffs are in sight, and Denver’s championship window remains open, but with Jamal Murray out due to a hamstring injury, it’s a delicate path.
“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully,” said Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment. “We do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship.”
Explore the strategic side of this shakeup in the NBA Expert Betting Guide.
Jokic’s Historic MVP Campaign
While the franchise is in turmoil, Nikola Jokic continues to dazzle — and dominate. The Serbian big man is averaging an astounding 30.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, putting him on pace to become just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double across a full season.
His numbers include:
- A 61-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Minnesota
- A 41-15-13 stat line versus Indiana
With these performances, Jokic is climbing the MVP leaderboard. See where he ranks in the latest NBA MVP Odds Predictions.
His efforts weren’t enough to stop a 125-120 loss to Indiana last Sunday, but teammate Christian Braun, who scored 30, emphasized the importance of leadership in tough times.
“The locker room knows,” Braun said. “It’s on me to make sure we’re ready before we run out, that we’re locked in on the floor.”
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Kings Heating Up at the Right Time
Sacramento (39-40) isn’t letting the Nuggets’ drama go to waste. Currently sitting in ninth place in the West, they hold a one-game lead over Dallas and aim to solidify their place in the play-in.
Fresh off a 127-117 comeback win over the Detroit Pistons, the Kings are gaining momentum. That victory capped a 3-3 road trip — with all three wins coming consecutively. A big part of their surge? New acquisition Zach LaVine.
LaVine has been on fire, scoring 80 points over the last two games, including a 43-point eruption against Detroit.
“When he gets a heater going, it’s a different type of heater,” said Kings coach Doug Christie. “You just want him to touch the ball every time.”
DeMar DeRozan also continues to be a threat, adding 37 points Monday night. The former Chicago Bulls tandem has brought new fire to the Kings’ offense since the trade deadline deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio.
Keep tabs on all the late-season playoff shakeups with the full NBA Championship Futures.
Injuries Could Shape the Outcome
The Kings are still awaiting clarity on Malik Monk, who exited Monday’s game with a calf injury. His status for Wednesday is uncertain, but his absence could impact Sacramento’s bench scoring significantly.
For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray’s hamstring injury remains a critical storyline. Denver has yet to win a game during his current absence, and with just two games after Sacramento (against Minnesota and Memphis), there’s little room for error.
Betting Angle & Final Take
This showdown will be a true test of Denver’s resilience — and Adelman’s readiness — as they try to avoid falling into the chaotic play-in bracket. On the flip side, Sacramento wants revenge for a January loss to Denver and to keep their own postseason hopes intact.
Want a prediction? See the expert insights on this matchup at the official NBA Pick Page.
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