Michael Malone during a Denver Nuggets game against the Golden State Warriors on April 4 in San Francisco. Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty Images

The Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone after 10 seasons, per a team statement on Tuesday.

Why it matters: With just three games left in the regular season, it’s a shocking exit for Malone, who led Denver to its first NBA title in 2023 and is the winningest coach in franchise history.

Driving the news: General manager Calvin Booth was also dismissed, with the team saying his contract will not be extended.

State of play: The Nuggets are currently on a four-game losing streak — their longest this season — as they battle for a playoff seed in a Western Conference that’s grown stronger after blockbuster trades.

• Denver (47-32) sits in fourth place after winning just three of their past 10 contests.

Between the lines: Reigning MVP and Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokić is having one of the best statistical seasons of any player in the league’s history, ranking in the NBA’s top five for scoring, rebounds, assists and steals.

By the numbers: Malone posted a 471-327 overall record with the team, per ESPN.

What we’re watching: How the Nuggets fare in the final three games of the regular season.

This is a developing story and will be updated.