While Denver is currently riding a four-game losing streak, the team was viewed as one of the top contenders in the West. Firing Malone just a few days before the start of the playoffs raises significant questions about the behind-the-scenes turmoil within the franchise.

Before the axe fell on head coach Michael Malone in Denver, ownership made three-time MVP Nikola Jokic aware of the move ahead of meeting with the since-fired team brass on Tuesday afternoon. Malone,