Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was mic’d up during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat and the 51-year-old had a bold message for his team after Denver won Game 1.
“We’re up 1-0,” Malone said. “Congratulations. We haven’t done a damn thing. Our goal wasn’t to win one game in the Finals. Our goal is to win 3 more.”
Malone is a passionate head coach. He’s been speaking his mind throughout the entire 2023 playoffs and that likely won’t change moving forward.
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
After the Nuggets won Game 1 by 11 points, Malone was asked to talk about his group setting the tone for the seven-game series. Denver hasn’t trailed in a series yet in this postseason.
“That was one of my last messages to the group before our game,” Malone said. “I reminded our group, if they didn’t know that Miami went into Milwaukee and won Game 1. They went into the Garden in New York City and won Game 1. They won Game 1 up in Boston. So we did not want them coming in here taking control of the series on our court. To your point, we’ve done a hell of a job all season long of protecting our home court. I don’t think we’ve lost a game at home in the playoffs as of yet. We know Sunday night is going to be a hell of a challenge.
“Proud of our guys for going out there and getting the win. Michael Porter, a double-double. Jamal Murray, double-double. Nikola, triple-double. I felt Aaron Gordon’s play on both ends of the floor in that first half really set the tone, and I thought Bruce was really good off the bench. This was everybody stepping up, doing their job, but knowing that we can all be a lot better come Sunday.”
NBA NEWS & FINALS COVERAGE: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets & Miami Heat Updates
The Nuggets are three wins away from winning their first championship in franchise history.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
