When is the latest coaching change in NBA history? Nuggets' Michael Malone has one unprecedented fact

Billy Heyen

When is the latest coaching change in NBA history? Nuggets' Michael Malone has one unprecedented fact image

The Denver Nuggets' final regular season game is Sunday, April 13.

On Tuesday, April 8, they fired head coach Michael Malone.

That happened despite Denver sitting as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. That happened despite the Nuggets having won the NBA title two seasons ago.

It has left everyone in the NBA world more than a bit confused, even that it happened but certainly by the last-minute timing.

MORE: Nuggets' Michael Malone decision makes as much sense as Luka Doncic trade, Taylor Jenkins firing

When is the latest coaching change in NBA history?

Michael Malone's firing is tied for the latest coaching change in NBA history.

ESPN's Shams Charana reported that Hubie Brown in 1980-81 was the only other coach to get fired this close to the end of the regular season.

One big difference: Brown was leading a Hawks team that went 31-48 that season. There were no playoffs to prepare for.

This is the most unprecedented firing ever made by an NBA playoff team.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle