The Denver Nuggets sat Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jokic is dealing with left ankle impingement and a contusion to his shooting elbow.
Malone took issue with the perception that the Nuggets were simply opting to rest their two best players.
"I think that's just a bunch of bulls---," Malone said. "I mean, in the last 10 years, Nikola Jokic has played the second most games in the NBA. Ten years. And the guys in that top 10, none of them are superstars.
"So if Nikola is not playing, it's not because he's sitting. It's not because he needs rest. It's because he's hurt and he's trying to play through things that most wouldn't. We're at a point right now where we have to do what's best for not just Nikola, but for all our guys, as we move forward and try to close out this season."