Michael Malone’s comments about the Los Angeles Lakers have created a peculiar storyline over the last two seasons. Despite the Denver Nuggets eliminating L.A. in back-to-back playoffs, Malone keeps referencing the Lakers, seemingly unprovoked. It’s like he’s channeling his inner WWE villain, stirring the pot to keep a rivalry alive that Denver already decisively won. Honestly, it feels more like he’s got Lakers-brain than championship brain, and you have to wonder: why keep poking at a team you’ve already beaten? And now he’s done it again.

Michael Malone now holds the record for the highest winning percentage as head coach of the Nuggets.

And in a bit of poetic justice, he hit this milestone against none other than the Lakers. The players doused their coach in water to celebrate. But amidst all this, there is something that troubles Malone.

“My only regret is I wish my father was here for it, but I do know that he’s looking down with a big smile on his face.” said Malone, speaking to the media after the game.

The Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-102, dominating the second half after a closely contested first. Despite LeBron James and Austin Reaves contributing solid performances, Anthony Davis struggled offensively. The Lakers led at halftime but faltered after the break, committing costly turnovers and collapsing defensively. Michael Porter Jr. and the Nuggets’ sharp shooting overwhelmed L.A., with Denver extending their lead through a commanding 50-17 run. The Lakers’ lack of focus and sloppy play continued their struggles against Denver, following a familiar script of strong starts but poor finishes.

Michael Malone’s legacy will live on forever

It’s been a wild decade for Malone, who took the reins in Denver 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Seven straight winning seasons? Check. The Nuggets’ first-ever NBA championship? Also, check. And here’s the kicker: he’s the only head coach Nikola Jokic has ever had. If you’re a Nuggets fan, you’ve got to admit—that’s a match made in Mile High heaven.

Breaking Doug Moe’s long-standing record of 432 wins wasn’t just a numbers game. It was the torch being passed from one Denver era to another. Moe’s run in the ‘80s, with Alex English rocking those iconic rainbow jerseys, set the stage for what Malone has now turned into an actual dynasty. And don’t forget, Moe’s Nuggets also fell to the Lakers in the 1985 Western Conference Finals—something Malone made sure to rewrite when his squad swept L.A. on their way to the 2023 title.

But Malone isn’t just about winning. He’s the guy behind Jokic’s MVP glow-up, Jamal Murray’s clutch playoff moments, and Michael Porter Jr.’s rise. Let’s be real—without Malone, Jokic might still just be “that second-round pick.” And those unforgettable Nuggets playoff comebacks, like the 3-1 deficits they overcame? That’s all Malone DNA.

He’s got 44 playoff wins under his belt, more than any Nuggets coach, and is under contract through 2027. So, yeah, there’s a solid chance he’s not done smashing records. Imagine the déjà vu if he adds another title. It might even top the first one, just because of how tough it would be.

Malone’s coaching journey started long before Denver. A short stint with the Kings and years as an assistant built the foundation. It’s kind of poetic when you think about it—his dad, a lifelong coach, passed down that court-side grit.