Michael Malone Returns to NBA Fold as ESPN Broadcaster for Western Conference Finals

Michael Malone, the former coach of the Denver Nuggets, is making a return to the NBA as a member of the ESPN broadcasting team for the Western Conference finals. The 53-year-old will join the broadcast for the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, alongside Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, and Shams Charania. Malone's firing by the Nuggets was a surprise, as he had compiled a 471-327 record in 10 seasons with the franchise, good for a .590 winning percentage. The Nuggets made the playoffs in each of the past six seasons under Malone, winning the NBA championship during the 2022-23 season. Despite his recent firing, Malone's knowledge and familiarity with the league could make him an excellent commentator during the Western Conference finals. Malone's experience with both the Thunder and Timberwolves will be put to use during the broadcast, as he has more recent experience with the Timberwolves, having faced them twice in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The Nuggets came out on top in 2023 and rode that momentum all the way to a championship, while the Timberwolves beat Malone's Nuggets in seven games in 2024. Despite his mixed success against the Thunder during his coaching career, going 21-22 in 43 games against Oklahoma City, Malone's impressive record and experience will likely draw interest for head-coaching jobs in the offseason. This is also an opportunity for him to put himself out there and remind coach-needy teams that he's looking for work. As a member of the ESPN broadcasting team, Malone will be on "NBA Countdown" for the pregame and halftime portions of the broadcast. It will be interesting to see how he uses his coaching expertise to provide insight and analysis during the Western Conference finals. With his knowledge of both franchises and his impressive record, Malone is sure to make a valuable contribution to the broadcast.