Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had no time to talk about his team’s performance against the New York Knicks on Monday night.
The Nuggets gave up 145 points to the Knicks in the game. OG Anunoby dropped 40 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 30 points and 15 rebounds. New York also had 45 assists and held Denver to 118 points.
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Michael Malone, head coach of the Denver Nuggets, discusses the second half of their NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Monday, Nov. 1, Sept. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Malone questioned the team’s effort after the game. Saying they won’t “flush” and move on.
“F— that guy, no, no, we’re not blushing,” he said. Via ESPN– “You don’t blush when you’re embarrassed. Don’t blush when you give up 145 points. Don’t blush when you don’t play hard. Don’t play with physical effort. I don’t blush.” Whatever.”
Malone said he wants his players to have more of a say when it comes to leadership. He specifically called out Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
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New York Knicks No. 3 guard Josh Hart congratulates No. 8 forward OG Anunobi as they head to the bench during the second half of their NBA basketball game against. Denver Nuggets on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
“We are 16 games in and we are talking about effort. We’re talking about strength. We’re talking about physicality… and who’s in, who’s out, who do we want to be as a team? Yes, leadership would be great, strength would be great, physicality would be great, playing like you really care. That would be awesome. And we didn’t do that tonight,” Malone added.
Jokic agreed with Malone and said the team needed a wake-up call. Murray also questioned the team’s focus after their play against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“It’s been a long season. Guys have lives outside of basketball,” Murray said. “We just beat LA in LA. We have some guys that live in LA. So stay in LA. I don’t think it got everyone’s attention. And that’s what happens when you can’t focus.”
Murray later clarified his statement about X.
“We are all in LA BTW! And got a great victory. Not including myself We did not play together tonight,” he wrote.
Nikola Jokic, No. 15 center of the Denver Nuggets, hopes to steal a basket over Karl-Anthony Towns, No. 32 of the New York Knicks, in the second half of Monday’s NBA basketball game. on November 1-September 25, 2024 in Denver (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Denver is 9-7 this season.
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