Former Denver Nuggets NBA champion head coach Michael Malone will join ESPN for the network’s continued NBA playoff coverage.
Malone, 53, will be a guest analyst on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” for the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves beginning Tuesday in Oklahoma City, according to a [news release](https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/05/nba-champion-head-coach-michael-malone-joins-espns-nba-countdown-as-guest-analyst-for-western-conference-finals-minnesota-timberwolves-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder/). He will work alongside host Malika Andrews, analysts Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins, and senior NBA insider Shams Charania during both pregame and halftime coverage.
ESPN’s addition of Malone to its NBA coverage on Monday came one day after his former Nuggets team was eliminated by the Thunder in Game 7 of the second round on Sunday. Malone was fired as the Nuggets’ head coach on April 8, just one week before the NBA playoffs began, and less than two years after he led the Nuggets to [winning the 2023 NBA championship](https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2023/06/nuggets-take-home-first-nba-title-in-47-years-in-rugged-94-89-win-over-heat.html). He was replaced by assistant coach David Adelman.
Malone is the Nuggets’ all-time winningest head coach with a 471-327 record in 10 seasons from 2015-25. He also previously coached the Sacramento Kings for two seasons from 2013-15.
Prior to becoming an NBA head coach, Malone served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors (2011-13), New Orleans Hornets (2010-11), Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10) and New York Knicks (2003-05).
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Thunder tips off at 8:30 p.m. EST tonight on ESPN.