Michael Malone, who was dismissed by the Denver Nuggets just before the end of the regular season, is set to join ESPN for its coverage of the Western Conference Finals. This comes at a significant time, as the finals will feature the Minnesota Timberwolves facing off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that recently eliminated the Nuggets in a hard-fought seven-game series.
Malone had previously achieved great success with the Nuggets, leading them to their first NBA championship in 2023 and holding the record for the most wins in the franchise’s history. Despite this impressive track record, the organization made the controversial decision to part ways with him and general manager Calvin Booth right before the playoffs.
With Malone now joining the ESPN team, he will contribute to the “NBA Countdown” pregame and halftime studio show throughout the series, alongside notable analysts such as Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, Kendrick Perkins, and Shams Charania. This provides him with a platform to share his insights on the league during this highly competitive postseason.
As the Timberwolves and Thunder prepare for their match-up, Malone’s commentary and expertise could add an interesting layer to the coverage of the games. His transition from coach to analyst highlights the dynamic nature of the sport, and fans can look forward to his professional observations during the series.