People say that we are vulnerable, but the beast is always the strongest or the most dangerous when they’re vulnerable,” Jokic said. “Maybe he woke up the beast.”

Nikola Jokić filled up the stat sheet with his 32nd triple-double of the season against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in the Denver Nuggets' first game since firing Michael Malone. Speaking to reporters after Denver's 124-116 win over the Kings, Jokić noted he did text Malone on Tuesday after learning of the coach's sacking.

"Jokic was privy to the decision [firing Malone] before it was announced, and there was not an objection, people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s internal operations."