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Nuggets Coach Reveals Incredible Party Story After Beating Lakers

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Nuggets
By Joey Linn | Last updated 8/3/23

After sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers to clinch their spot in the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets partied hard on the flight back home. Recently joining The Lowe Post Podcast, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was asked about this party on the plane, and detailed what it was like.

"There was a party in the front [of the plane], you had a certain type of music up there, the players were going crazy. But the real party was in the way back of the plane... There were a lot of shots being done, a lot of music, and a lot of people getting sick. But I wasn't ready to celebrate. I'll be honest. I didn't have a drink, anything. Because getting to the NBA Finals wasn't my goal."

While Malone admitted there was some serious partying going on during that flight back home, he himself was not ready to celebrate yet. Malone added that beating the Lakers wasn't Denver's goal, saying, "As great as it was to - first time in Nuggets history to beat the Lakers in the playoffs, first time in Nuggets history to get out of the Western Conference... I wasn't ready to exhale."

The plane ride story was a fun one, but for Malone, it didn't reflect how he felt personally during that moment. It was great to make Nuggets history after beating the Lakers, but winning the title was their ultimate goal, and one they accomplished.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Nuggets and was syndicated with permission.

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