Nuggets' Michael Malone questions team's effort after blowout loss to Knicks

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Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had no time to mince words about his team’s performance against the New York Knicks on Monday night.

The Nuggets gave up 145 points to the Knicks in the loss. OG Anunoby dropped 40 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 30 points and 15 rebounds. New York also dished out 45 assists and held Denver to 118 points.

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Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone looks on in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Malone questioned his team’s effort after the game, saying they will not be "flushing" it and moving on.

"F--- that man, no. No, we're not flushing," he said, via ESPN. "You don't flush when you get embarrassed, you don't flush when you gave up 145 points, you don't flush when you didn't play hard, didn't play with effort, physicality, I'm not flushing anything."

Malone said he wanted more of his players to be vocal when it comes to being leaders. He called out Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray specifically.

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New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, #3, congratulates forward OG Anunoby, #8, as they head to the bench late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

"We're 16 games in, and we're talking about effort, we're