On Jan. 14 in Dallas, Malone stood up for Murray when he told reporters that “the microscope on Jamal is a little intense” and that “everybody’s just gotta kind of let the kid breathe a little bit.” Denver’s point guard had started the season slow, but he had scored 45 points in a win that day.

Denver Nuggets players grew tired of Michael Malone giving Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray “preferential treatment,” an NBA source told Hoops Wire. The Nuggets fired Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday.

The Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA when they fired head coach Michael Malone shortly before the start of the playoffs, but there was reportedly some internal frustration from the players regarding his style that may have contributed to the move.