Tattoo artist willing to cover up Malone's Nuggets-themed ink

The tattoo artist behind Michael Malone's championship ink is open to covering up the artwork following the coach's firing from the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

Malone got a tattoo of Maxie the Miner - one of the Nuggets' mascots - holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy to commemorate the team's 2023 NBA championship. Mike Diaz of Triple W Tattoos gave Malone the tattoo. While Diaz hopes Malone keeps the ink, he told TMZ Sports he's willing to do a cover-up.

"If he really wanted to do that, I would help out," Diaz said.

Diaz shared a photo Tuesday of himself with Malone on Instagram, calling his firing a "sad day" for Denver.

Malone was hired as head coach of the Nuggets in June 2015 following two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. He compiled a 471-327 record in Denver and ranks as the winningest coach in franchise history.

The Nuggets sit fifth in the Western Conference at 47-32 with three games remaining on their regular-season schedule.