Jokic has 32nd triple-double to lead Nuggets past Kings 124-116 in Denver's 1st game without Malone

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Nikola Jokic had his 32nd triple-double of the season with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists and Denver beat the Sacramento Kings 124-116 on Wednesday night in the Nuggets' first game since head coach Michael Malone was fired.

Christian Braun scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. each had 21 points to help Denver end a four-game losing streak and complete a season series sweep of Sacramento.

With two regular-season games remaining, the Nuggets (48-32) are tied with the Clippers for the No. 4 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Malone, the winningest coach in franchise history who guided the Nuggets to their only NBA championship in 2023, was fired Tuesday along with general manager Calvin Booth. David Adelman is serving as Denver's interim coach.

Zach LaVine had 27 points and 11 assists for the Kings, whose three-game winning streak ended. DeMar DeRozan added 22 points for Sacramento, which holds the No. 9 spot in the West.

The Nuggets led by 16 before the Kings made a run and got within 113-108 on Keon Ellis' jumper with 2½ minutes remaining. Jalen Pickett made a mid-range jumper for Denver and Jokic made two free throws to help secure the win.

The Nuggets closed the first half on a 13-5 run and then began the third quarter with a 18-10 spurt to sustain their momentum.

Denver starters Braun (16), Porter (14), Gordon (14) and Jokic (10) combined for 54 of the Nuggets’ 66 points in the first half.

The Kings host the Clippers on Friday, and the Nuggets face the Grizzlies in Denver on Friday.

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Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, center, makes a layup past Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) goes up for a layup as Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) goes up for a shot as Sacramento Kings forward Doug McDermott, left center, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) goes up for a layup as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) goes up for a layup as Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets Head Coach David Adelman watches the team on defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) blocks Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine's (8) layup during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

The New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan as coach, days after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to part ways.

General manager Chris Drury announced the move Friday, bringing in the organization's top candidate who was out of work for less than a full business week.

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said. “Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. ... As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

Sullivan replaces Peter Laviolette, who was fired after the Rangers missed the playoffs following a trip to the Eastern Conference final last year. Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup back to back in 2016 and ’17, is tasked with trying to turn the Rangers back into an immediate contender.

Drury made the move to get Sullivan not long after receiving a multiyear contract extension of his own.

“Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench," owner James Dolan said. "I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization.”

Sullivan, 57, spent four seasons as a Rangers assistant under then-coach and still close friend and confidant John Tortorella from 2009-13. He coached Drury during that time, and the two have worked together professionally through USA Hockey, most recently at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and are part of the U.S. contingent for the 2026 Milan Olympics.

Tortorella — who was fired as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in late March — could be a candidate to join Sullivan on his staff, as he did at the 4 Nations, but no assistant hires were confirmed Friday and the organization is expected to discuss those openings in the coming days.

Sullivan had been with the Penguins since getting hired midseason in December 2015 when Mike Johnston was fired months into his lackluster tenure. This is his third head-coaching job in the NHL after a short stint with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04 and '05-06 sandwiched around the lockout that wiped out an entire season.

New York getting Sullivan leaves seven teams around the league with vacancies: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Anaheim, Seattle and Vancouver. Multiple teams that initially reached out to Sullivan will now have to pivot to other experienced options, including Rick Tocchet, Joel Quenneville and Laviolette, as well as a couple of college coaches with recent national championships: Denver's David Carle and Western Michigan's Pat Ferschweiler.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan raises the Stanley Cup after Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif, June 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan hoists the Stanley Cup as Bryan Rust (17) watches after defeating the Nashville Predators 2-0 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Sunday, June 11, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)