The Denver Nuggets announced on Tuesday that Brian Shaw will no longer be head coach of the team.

The Nuggets have lost 19 of their last 21 games and haven't won at home in six weeks and with 23 games left in the season, they are 13th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference with a 20-39 record.

"I want to sincerely thank Brian for his time with our organisation," Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said in a statement.

"You won't find a better guy than Brian and he is one of the brightest basketball minds I've ever been around. Unfortunately things didn't go as we hoped, but we know with his basketball acumen that he has a very bright future ahead of him."

Fifth-year assistant Melvin Hunt was named interim head coach.

"On behalf of everyone in the Denver Nuggets organisation, I would personally like to thank Brian for his services the past two seasons in Denver," Connelly said.

"He is a champion and a gentleman and I wish him nothing but the best for himself and his family moving forward."

Shaw had a 56-85 overall record in two seasons in Denver.