“Had My Blood Boiling”: Michael Malone Sends Strong Message to Nuggets Locker Room as Nikola Jokic’s Return Goes to Waste

Nikola Jokic was back in action, and the Denver Nuggets had every reason to feel optimistic ahead of their game against the Dallas Mavericks. After missing three games, Jokic’s return had lifted the spirits within the camp. But it didn’t take long for things to unravel. The Nuggets found themselves down by a shocking twenty points by the end of the first half, their confidence shattered in a flash. The attempt to stage a comeback in the second half, although commendable, was ultimately insufficient.

Head coach Michael Malone was far from pleased, delivering a stern message to the team following the disappointing outcome. Expressing his frustration, Malone pointed to the weak first-half performance: “I think in the first half, we gave up 44 points in the paint. And I told our players at halftime, ‘You know they’re on pace to score 88 in the paint.’ You know that had my blood boiling.” Malone’s words reflected his dissatisfaction, as the defensive powerhouse Aaron Gordon was still missing due to a calf injury. However, the coach made it clear—there could be no excuses.

Malone acknowledged that while the team did manage to step up defensively in the second half, it was too little, too late. Reflecting on their poor first-half showing, he admitted, “I mean it never comes down to the final five minutes. I thought in the first half, it was just really bad basketball by us on every front.” When asked how such performances could be prevented in the future, Malone held everyone accountable, from coaches to players: “I can’t do everything for these guys. I mean, look, you’re professional athletes; we all have a job to do. So, everybody’s just gotta show up and do your job. We gotta understand who we are and the things that are non-negotiable… I will continue to do my job to help these guys get ready. There’s also responsibility on everybody in the locker room to bring it themselves.”

Nikola Jokic Shines, but Jamal Murray Struggles
Despite the extended absence, Nikola Jokic returned with a bang, showing why he’s still one of the most dominant forces in the league. He notched an incredible 33-point triple-double, keeping the Nuggets alive while the rest of the squad lagged behind—particularly Jamal Murray. Murray’s performance was far from inspiring; he finished with just fourteen points on 4-of-16 shooting, well below his usual standards.

So far this season, Murray has struggled to regain his form. His scoring average has dipped to 18.3 points per game, and his assists are also down. If the Nuggets aspire to be title contenders once again, Murray must rise to the occasion and provide the support Jokic desperately needs. The star guard didn’t shy away from accountability in a recent interview: “I take full accountability. It’s not easy when you aren’t playing well. It hasn’t been easy with guys like Nikola and Aaron (Gordon) out. We were fully capable of winning these last games. But, for me, I have to play better. I have to take account for that. It starts with me.”

As the Nuggets look ahead, fans can only hope that Murray’s words translate into action on the court. If he manages to elevate his game, Denver may still have a shot at salvaging their season and rekindling the flame that made them champions.