Wednesday night wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak for Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets—it was their first game without Michael Malone after ten years. The front office made the bold call to fire him on Tuesday, and the timing couldn’t have been more intense. So, yeah, the vibes were heavy heading into Sacramento. But sometimes, chaos brings clarity.
With interim coach David Adelman on the sidelines, Denver looked re-energized. They locked in, handled business, and walked out with a 124–116 win over the Kings. It wasn’t just a much-needed W—it felt like a statement. And, of course, Jokic did Jokic things. The big man notched a casual triple-double: 20 points, 12 boards, 11 dimes, and 4 steals.
And after the match, the 3x MVP revealed what has changed since coach Malone left. Jokic doesn’t usually dish out bold one-liners, but after everything the Denver Nuggets have been through lately, he had something to get off his chest. “People say that we were vulnerable,” the Serbian told reporters post-game. “But the beast is always the most dangerous when they’re vulnerable.” He didn’t stop there.
With a slight grin, he followed it up with a line that might just live in Nuggets lore if this team goes on a run: “Maybe he woke up the beast.”
Nikola Jokic: “People say that we were vulnerable, but the beast is always the most dangerous when they’re vulnerable.”
“Maybe he woke up the beast.” pic.twitter.com/3QboYDj3YS
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) April 10, 2025
Jokic has always treated basketball more like a 9-to-5 than a passion project. The guy shows up, dominates, cracks a few dry jokes, and clocks out. No drama. No fluff. Just vibes and MVP numbers. He’s famously low-key, more likely to light up about horses in Serbia than a playoff push.
So when that dude—who barely looks fazed even when dropping 40—says something like, “Maybe he woke up the beast,” you have to pause. That’s not just a quote. That’s a signal. But just as the Nuggets seemed to find their fire again, there’s one thing still hanging in the air—who’s really steering this ship?
Sure, Adelman has the interim tag for now, but during the third quarter of Wednesday’s win, it felt like someone else had the reins. With just under 10 minutes to go—Denver up 73-58—Jokic was spotted on the sidelines, clipboard in hand, literally diagramming plays for his teammates.
It wasn’t some passing moment, either. He looked locked in, explaining rotations and sets like a guy who wasn’t just trying to win the game—but take control of the locker room, too. And maybe that’s the biggest twist in all this. The quiet MVP who’s usually all business is now out here coaching, quoting beasts, and taking ownership of this team in a way we’ve rarely seen.
But behind that shift is something deeper.
Nikola Jokic reportedly understood the why Michael Malone was fired
Nikola Jokic wasn’t caught off guard when Mike Malone got the axe. The move didn’t exactly rattle him, either. After the decision, Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke rang him up. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jokic “understood.” That says a lot, considering the franchise isn’t in the best shape right now.
Yeah, they’re playoff-bound, but this version of Denver is miles from the group that lifted the Larry O’Brien last to last season. The vibe? Off. And it wasn’t just the players feeling it.
The real tension had been brewing between Malone and GM Calvin Booth. It was so icy, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk described it as a “cold war.” The front office decided not to bring Booth back next season and let Malone go on the same day. That’s not subtle.
The Athletic added to the chaos. Defense fell apart—Denver ranked just 20th—and Jokic’s frustration started showing. He wasn’t hiding it anymore. Players, too, were fed up with the lack of defensive urgency.
Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
At the heart of it? Booth and Malone couldn’t agree on anything. Booth pushed for his young draft picks to get real minutes. Malone stuck to his veterans. That philosophical divide seeped through the entire team.
So no, Jokic didn’t ask for this shake-up, but anyone paying attention could’ve seen it coming.
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