Breaking News: Denver nuggets head coach David Adelman shortly announced fired few minutes ago that he………….. more details ⬇️

Breaking News: Denver nuggets head coach David Adelman shortly announced fired few minutes ago that he………….. more details ⬇️

In a stunning and abrupt development, the Denver Nuggets announced this afternoon that head coach David Adelman has been relieved of his duties, just weeks after stepping into the role following the dismissal of longtime coach Michael Malone in early April.

The move comes as a shock to fans and insiders alike, given the timing and circumstances of Adelman’s promotion and the Nuggets’ ongoing playoff push. Though interim by title, Adelman had quickly assumed full leadership of the team and was seen as a strong candidate for the permanent position—until now.

David Adelman, 43, had served as an assistant coach with the Nuggets since 2017 and was considered an integral part of the coaching staff during Denver’s 2023 NBA championship run. When the front office parted ways with Michael Malone in early April following a rocky second half of the season and tensions with team leadership, Adelman was elevated to interim head coach.

At the time, Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Calvin Booth praised Adelman for his “deep basketball IQ, strong connection with players, and long-term investment in this organization.” Yet barely six weeks later, that confidence appears to have waned.

We appreciate David’s dedication and professionalism during a difficult transitional period,” Booth said in a brief press release. “This decision is about aligning our franchise with a long-term vision and philosophy. We thank David for his years of service and wish him success in his next chapter.

The press release did not offer specific reasons for the firing, nor did it name an interim replacement. A full press conference is scheduled for Monday.

Behind the scenes, sources suggest internal friction may have played a role in Adelman’s dismissal. While he reportedly had a good rapport with veteran players like Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, some within the organization were said to be skeptical of his leadership style, particularly his game management and handling of high-pressure moments in recent playoff matchups.

Denver entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and faced an uphill battle against a young and aggressive Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Following a tough Game 5 loss that put the Nuggets on the brink of elimination, some analysts pointed to questionable rotations and a lack of strategic adjustments.

There’s a difference between being a lead assistant and being the guy in the big chair,” said one anonymous league executive. “Denver may have realized that Adelman wasn’t the long-term solution they hoped for.

With Adelman out, the Nuggets are now forced to begin a head coaching search at a delicate time—mid-playoff run, with the future of a championship-caliber roster hanging in the balance.

Several names have already emerged as potential candidates, including former head coaches Kenny Atkinson, Frank Vogel, and even a possible reunion with George Karl, who reportedly remains interested in returning to the NBA. Internal options such as assistant coach Ryan Saunders may also be considered to carry the team through the remainder of the postseason.

Adelman’s exit adds another layer of uncertainty to a franchise that only two years ago was riding high after winning its first NBA championship. While the core of Jokić, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. remains intact, the clock is ticking on keeping that nucleus together—and keeping Denver among the league’s elite.

Despite the abrupt dismissal, David Adelman remains a respected name in basketball circles, not just because of his pedigree—his father, Rick Adelman, is a Hall of Fame coach—but due to his technical acumen and years of experience as a trusted assistant.

He is expected to draw interest across the league, either in assistant roles or as a candidate for future head coaching vacancies.

As for the Nuggets, they now face a crossroads, once again navigating change at the top at the most critical time of the year.