View source for Karl Malone

{{short description|American basketball player (born 1963)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Karl Malone
| image = NBA HOF’er Karl Malone visits Barksdale (9) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Malone in 2020
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|7|24}}
| birth_place = [[Summerfield, Louisiana]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 9
| weight_lbs = 259
| high_school = [[Summerfield High School (Louisiana)|Summerfield]] {{avoid wrap|(Summerfield, Louisiana)}}
| college = [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball|Louisiana Tech]] (1982–1985)
| draft_year = 1985
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 13
| draft_team = [[Utah Jazz]]
| career_start = 1985
| career_end = 2004
| career_number = 32, 11
| career_position = [[Power forward]]
| coach_start = 2007
| coach_end = 2011
| years1 = {{nbay|1985|start}}–{{nbay|2002|end}}
| team1 = [[Utah Jazz]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2003|full=y}}
| team2 = [[Los Angeles Lakers]]
| cyears1 = [[2007–08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2007]]–[[2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2011]]
| cteam1 = [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball|Louisiana Tech]] (assistant)
| highlights = * 2× [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|1996|end}}, {{nbay|1998|end}})
* 14× [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1988}}–{{nasg|1998}}, {{nasg|2000}}–{{nasg|2002}})
* 2× [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|NBA All-Star Game MVP]] ({{nasg|1989}}, {{nasg|1993}}{{efn|co-MVP along with [[John Stockton]]}})
* 11× [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1988|end}}–{{nbay|1998|end}})
* 2× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|1987|end}}, {{nbay|1999|end}})
* [[All-NBA Third Team]] ({{nbay|2000|end}})
* 3× [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] ({{nbay|1996|end}}–{{nbay|1998|end}})
* [[NBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ({{nbay|1987|end}})
* [[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{nbay|1985|end}})
* [[NBA anniversary team]] ([[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|50th]], [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th]])
* No. 32 [[Utah Jazz#Retired numbers|retired by Utah Jazz]]
* Second-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] – [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]] ([[1985 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1985]])
* [[Southland Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|Southland Player of the Year]] (1983)
* 3× First-team All-[[Southland Conference|Southland]] (1983–1985)
* No. 32 [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball#Retired numbers|retired by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs]]
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 36,928 (25.0 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 14,968 (10.1 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 5,238 (3.6 apg)
| HOF_player = karl-malone
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{MedalGold|[[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1992 Barcelona]]|[[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|National team]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1996 Atlanta]]|[[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|National team]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[FIBA AmeriCup|FIBA Americas Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1992 Tournament of the Americas|1992 Portland]]|[[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Men's basketball]]}}
}}
'''Karl Anthony Malone''' (born July 24, 1963)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karl Malone Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=February 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220205505/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> is an American former professional [[basketball]] player in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Nicknamed "'''the Mailman'''", he is considered one of the greatest [[power forward]]s in NBA history.<ref name="Britannica"/> Malone spent his first 18 seasons (1985–2003) in the NBA with the [[Utah Jazz]] and formed a formidable duo with his teammate [[John Stockton]]. He was a two-time [[NBA Most Valuable Player]], a 14-time [[NBA All-Star]], and a 14-time member of the [[All-NBA]] Team, which include 11 consecutive First Team selection. His 36,928 career points scored rank third [[List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders|all-time in NBA history]] behind [[LeBron James]] and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], and he holds the records for [[List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders|most free throws made]] and attempted, in addition to being tied for the second-most first-team All-NBA selections with [[Kobe Bryant]], both behind LeBron James.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/id/44 NBA Awards – All-NBA 1st Team – National Basketball Association – ESPN] . Espn.go.com. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.</ref>

Malone played [[college basketball]] for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball|Louisiana Tech Bulldogs]]. In his three seasons, he helped the Bulldogs to their first [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]] in 1984 and to first place in the [[Southland Conference]] in 1985. The Utah Jazz selected him in the first round of the [[1985 NBA draft]] with the 13th overall pick. Malone appeared in the playoffs every season in his career, including the [[NBA Finals]] in [[1997 NBA Finals|1997]] and [[1998 NBA Finals|1998]] with the Jazz. He played his final season with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], with whom he played his third Finals in [[2004 NBA Finals|2004]]. Malone also competed with the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States national team]] in the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games of 1992]] and [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996]]; in both years he won gold medals. In 1996, as part of the NBA's 50th Anniversary, Malone was honored as one of the 50 greatest players of all time by being named to the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|NBA 50th Anniversary Team]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |title=NBA at 50: Top 50 Players |website=NBA.com |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114192212/https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2021, Malone was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]].<ref>nba.com/75</ref>

After retiring from the NBA, Malone joined the staff of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in 2007 and was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 2010 twice – for his individual career, and as a member of the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team]].<ref>[http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/1992-united-states-olympic-team The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818075707/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/1992-united-states-olympic-team |date=August 18, 2010 }}. Hoophall.com. Retrieved on December 12, 2015.</ref>

Malone has attracted criticism for his personal life, most notably for his impregnation of a 13-year-old when he was 20.<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=February 18, 2023 |title=The NBA Shouldn't Have Creepy Karl Malone at All-Star Weekend |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/karl-malone-creepy-nba-ban-all-star-weekend-utah-gloria-bell-rape-vanessa-bryant-harassment-1234682580/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Walden |first=Eric |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Karl Malone knows opinion on him has shifted, but he won't discuss it |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2023/02/20/karl-malone-his-relationship-with/ |website=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]}}</ref>

==Early life and college==
Born in [[Summerfield, Louisiana]],<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Karl Malone|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/973113/Karl-Malone|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=July 3, 2011|year=2011|archive-date=April 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418065926/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/973113/Karl-Malone|url-status=live}}</ref> Malone was the youngest of nine children and was raised on a farm by his single mother, Shirley. Shedrick Hay, his father, was married to a different woman and raising a family with her. Shedrick committed suicide when Karl was 14,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - The Mailman always delivers |url=http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Malone_Karl.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.espn.com |archive-date=November 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125165923/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Malone_Karl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> though Malone didn't disclose the suicide until 1994. As a child, Malone often worked on the farm, chopped trees, hunted, and fished. He attended Summerfield High School and led his basketball team to three consecutive Louisiana Class C titles from 1979 to his senior season in 1981.

Although recruited by [[Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball|University of Arkansas basketball]] coach [[Eddie Sutton]], Malone enrolled at [[Louisiana Tech University]], which was closer to home. He joined the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball]] team in his second year because his grades were too low for freshman eligibility; Malone played under coach [[Andy Russo]].<ref name="ESPN Classic">{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Bob|title=The Mailman always delivered|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Malone_Karl|publisher=ESPN|access-date=July 3, 2011|date=June 4, 2007|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107042304/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Malone_Karl|url-status=dead}}</ref> In his second season with Louisiana Tech (1983–84), Malone averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/><ref name="basketball-reference">{{cite web|title=Karl Malone|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-date=February 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220205505/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Louisiana Tech finished the 1984–85 season 29–3, at the top of the [[Southland Conference]], and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history; the team finished at the [[1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament#Midwest region|Sweet 16 round]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1984–85 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Statistics|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/LOUT/1985.html|publisher=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-date=October 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015091215/http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/LOUT/1985.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In each of his three seasons with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Malone was an All-Southland selection.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/>

==Professional career==

=== Utah Jazz (1985–2003) ===

====Early years (1985–1987)====
In the [[1985 NBA draft]], the [[1985–86 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] selected Karl Malone with the 13th overall pick. According to Malone's official NBA biography: "If professional scouts had correctly predicted the impact Karl Malone would have on the NBA, Malone would have been picked much higher than 13th in the 1985 NBA Draft."<ref name="NBA bio">{{cite web|title=Karl Malone bio|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/karl_malone/bio.html|publisher=NBA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050707003526/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/karl_malone/bio.html|archive-date=July 7, 2005}}</ref> In fact, Malone was so convinced the [[1985–86 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]] were going to select him with the eighth choice that he had already rented an apartment in [[Dallas]]. Instead, the Mavericks selected [[Detlef Schrempf]].<ref>Carter, Bob (updated June 4, 2007) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140219041753/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/news/story?page=add_malone_karl Malone Game 7 delivery]. ''ESPN''</ref> Under head coach [[Frank Layden]], Malone averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds in his first season and made the 1986 [[NBA All-Rookie Team]] after coming in third for [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] votes.<ref name="NBA bio"/> On January 14, 1986, the Jazz beat the [[1985–86 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] 105–102 to snap the Rockets' 20-game winning streak at home. Malone scored 29 points in that game, including four free throws followed by a three-pointer by [[Pace Mannion]] to rally from a 96–89 deficit with 5 minutes and 36 seconds remaining to a 96–96 tie.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rocket Streak Stopped at 20|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/15/sports/rocket-streak-stopped-at-20.html|access-date=July 26, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 15, 1986|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185635/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/15/sports/rocket-streak-stopped-at-20.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the third consecutive season, the Jazz made the postseason but lost the first round of the [[1986 NBA Playoffs|1986 playoffs]] to the Dallas Mavericks. In the four playoff games, Malone improved in his scoring with a 20 points per game average but was still subpar in shooting (49.6% field goals) and rebounds (8.9). After his second season, Malone became the Jazz's leader in average scoring (21.7 points) and rebounding (10.4 rebounds); in 24 of 29 games between February 1 and April 3, 1987, he was the leading scorer of the game.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

====All-Star and team offense leader (1987–1996)====
By the [[1987–88 NBA season|1987–88 season]], Malone was the foundation of the offense and [[John Stockton]] was the floor general. Malone made his first All-Star Game in 1988 on the strength of 27.1 points per game, and made his first All-NBA team at the end of the season. This was the first of 14 consecutive All-Star appearances for Malone.<ref name="NBA bio"/> In the [[1988 NBA All-Star Game]], Malone led the Western Conference All-Star team with 22 points.<ref name="NYT 1988"/> The Jazz finished 47–35, third place in the Midwest Division, and defeated the [[1987–88 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|title=1987–88 Utah Jazz Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1988.html|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=July 25, 2011|archive-date=September 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903172344/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1988.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the next round, the defending champions [[1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]], led by perennial All-Stars [[Magic Johnson]], [[James Worthy]], and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], defeated the Jazz in seven games. In the seventh game of the series, Malone scored 31 points and had 15 rebounds, but the Lakers beat the Jazz 109–98 and eventually won the [[1988 NBA Finals]]. In 11 playoff games in 1988, Malone averaged 29.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

[[File:Karl Malone 1988-89.jpg|thumb|Malone circa 1988]]
Malone signed a 10-year contract during the 1988 offseason worth $18 million.<ref name="NYT 1988"/> In December 1988, [[Jerry Sloan]] succeeded Layden as head coach as Layden became team president.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kragthorpe|first=Kurt|title=Layden quits as Jazz coach; Sloan steps in|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/26734/LAYDEN-QUITS-AS-JAZZ-COACH-SLOAN-STEPS-IN.html|access-date=July 25, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=December 9, 1988|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422133821/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/26734/LAYDEN-QUITS-AS-JAZZ-COACH-SLOAN-STEPS-IN.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Malone averaged 29.1 points in {{nbay|1988}}, good for second in the NBA behind [[Michael Jordan]], and 10.7 rebounds, which was fifth in the league.<ref>{{cite web|title=1988–89 NBA Season Summary: League Leaders|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989.html|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=July 25, 2011|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807005728/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This scoring average was Malone's highest so far in his career. At the [[1989 NBA All-Star Game]], Malone finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists en route to his first [[NBA All-Star MVP]]. The Jazz finished 51–31, but were swept in three games in the first round by the [[1988–89 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]]. This season marked Malone's first with the [[All-NBA First Team]] honor.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

During the {{nbay|1989}}, Malone increased his scoring to 31 points and his rebounding to 11.1 a game and again was selected to the All-NBA First Team.<ref name="NBA bio"/> In the first game of the season, Malone recorded 40 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists in a 122–113 win over the Denver Nuggets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198911030UTA.html|title=Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz Box Score, November 3, 1989|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106092620/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198911030UTA.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 5, 1989, Malone scored 21 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in a 94–80 win over the home team, Cleveland Cavaliers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198912050CLE.html|title=Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, December 5, 1989|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106092613/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198912050CLE.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Seventeen days later, Malone recorded 52 points and 17 rebounds in a 114–100 road win over the Charlotte Hornets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198912220CHH.html|title=Utah Jazz at Charlotte Hornets Box Score, December 22, 1989|publisher=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106092613/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198912220CHH.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 27, 1990, Malone scored a career-high 61 points in a 144–96 victory against the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kragthorpe|first=Kurt|title=Malone score 61 – says he'll play in All-Star Game|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/83967/MALONE-SCORES-61---SAYS-HELL-PLAY-IN-ALL-STAR-GAME.html?pg=all|access-date=July 7, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=January 28, 1990|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113112420/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/83967/MALONE-SCORES-61---SAYS-HELL-PLAY-IN-ALL-STAR-GAME.html?pg=all|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made 21 of 26 [[Field goal (basketball)|field goals]] and 19 of 23 free throws.<ref name="SLT Hall">{{cite news|last=Luhm |first=Steve |title=Malone worked his way into the Hall of Fame |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/50099788-87/malone-utah-jazz-points.html.csp |newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |date=August 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303005138/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/50099788-87/malone-utah-jazz-points.html.csp |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the most points scored by a Jazz player since the team moved to Utah from New Orleans. Although Malone was voted to the NBA All-Star Game for the third consecutive season, because of an ankle injury he sat out the game.<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1990-02-10/sports/25880761_1_western-conference-reserve-karl-malone-utah-jazz Malone On Sideline For Star Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081229/http://articles.philly.com/1990-02-10/sports/25880761_1_western-conference-reserve-karl-malone-utah-jazz |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Articles.philly.com (February 10, 1990). Retrieved on December 12, 2015.</ref> He led the team in scoring in 24 of the last 26 games of the season; on March 29, 1990, against the [[1989–90 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]], Malone scored 49 points, and on April 12 against the [[1989–90 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] he scored 45. The Jazz, finishing the season 55–27, lost to the [[1989–90 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] within five games in the first round of the [[1990 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], in which Malone averaged 25.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. For the second straight season, Malone finished second in the league in points per game behind Michael Jordan.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

From January 19 to March 4, 1991, Malone led the Jazz in scoring for 19 straight games; after starting the {{nbay|1990}} season 7–8 the team went 21–9 in January and February 1991. Malone scored 16 points and took 11 rebounds in the [[1991 NBA All-Star Game]], his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance for the West, and averaged 29.0 points and 11.8 rebounds each regular-season game. He was among four Jazz players with double-figure scoring averages, the others being the newly acquired [[Jeff Malone]] (no relation) as well as John Stockton and [[Thurl Bailey]]. In four games, the Jazz eliminated the [[1990–91 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] in the first round of the [[1991 NBA Playoffs|1991 playoffs]] but lost to the [[1990–91 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] in the second round. Malone made the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive season.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

As he had done in 1989–90, Malone finished the 1991–92 season second in the league in scoring, averaging 28.0 points per game. He made the All-NBA First Team for the fourth straight year.<ref name="NBA bio"/> It was also a breakout season for the Jazz; during the [[1992 NBA Playoffs]], the team made the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.<ref name="Utah index">{{cite web|title=Utah Jazz Franchise Index|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=July 27, 2011|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331034107/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Malone scored 40 or more points in five games this season.<ref name="NBA bio"/> Despite his continued success and achievements, Malone encountered trouble for committing a [[flagrant foul]]. On December 14, 1991, when the Jazz played against the [[1991–92 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]], Malone elbowed the Pistons' [[Isiah Thomas]] on the forehead. Thomas needed 40 stitches over his eye, and the NBA suspended Malone for the next game without pay and fined him $10,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Suspension for Malone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/17/sports/sports-people-basketball-suspension-for-malone.html|access-date=July 27, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 17, 1991|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922002720/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/17/sports/sports-people-basketball-suspension-for-malone.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In its first-ever franchise Western Conference Finals appearance, in six games the Jazz lost in the playoffs for the second straight season to the [[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]]. Malone averaged 29.1 points on 52.1% shooting and 11.9 rebounds in the 1992 playoffs.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

Throughout the 1990s, Malone put up stellar numbers: in {{nbay|1992}}, he averaged 27.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, 25.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in {{nbay|1993}}, 26.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in {{nbay|1994}}, and 25.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in {{nbay|1995}}.<ref name="NBA playerfile"/> Following the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Summer Olympics]] in which Malone helped the [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|American national team]], dubbed the "Dream Team", win a gold medal, Malone expressed opposition to [[Magic Johnson]], who had recently tested positive for [[HIV]] and retired from the NBA in 1991, making a comeback to the league. Malone's point of view diverged from the support for Johnson from his Olympic and [[Los Angeles Lakers]] teammates, and the NBA implemented [[AIDS]]-related precautions after Johnson's revelation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Araton|first=Harvey|title=Johnson's Return to League Isn't Welcomed by Some|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/01/sports/basketball-johnson-s-return-to-league-isn-t-welcomed-by-some.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=August 12, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 1, 1992|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195853/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/01/sports/basketball-johnson-s-return-to-league-isn-t-welcomed-by-some.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 4, 1993, in a game against the Lakers, Malone surpassed 16,000 career points. He and his teammate John Stockton shared the [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|All-Star MVP]] award in [[1993 NBA All-Star Game|1993]]. In the West's 135–132 overtime win, Malone scored 28 points and pulled in 10 rebounds.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

Malone started all 82 games of 1993–94 and helped the Jazz make the Western Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history and his career. In his ninth season, Malone led the Jazz in scoring (25.2), rebounding (11.5), and blocked shots (126), made 49.7% of field goal attempts, and played 3,329 minutes, the second-most that season in the league behind [[Latrell Sprewell]]'s 3,533.<ref name="NBA bio"/> On March 29, 1994, Malone recorded a career-high 23 rebounds, but the Jazz lost to the [[1993–94 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] 116–113. However, Malone made only 8 of 29 field goals that night and commented post-game: "My rebounds are not going to be tomorrow's headline...Tomorrow's headline is going to be all those easy shots I missed."<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson|first=Lee|title=This time Malone rips on Malone|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/344504/THIS-TIME-MALONE-RIPS-ON-MALONE.html|access-date=August 12, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=March 30, 1994|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927194206/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/344504/THIS-TIME-MALONE-RIPS-ON-MALONE.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The eventual [[1994 NBA Finals|NBA champion]] [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] eliminated the Jazz from the Western Conference Finals in five games.<ref name="NBA bio"/> Although Malone scored 32 points in the Jazz' 104–99 Game 2 loss, along with Stockton's 18, they and the Jazz were no match for the Rockets with high-scoring center [[Hakeem Olajuwon]]. Midway into the fourth quarter, Malone and Olajuwon scored on four consecutive possessions by their teams, leading up to a 93–93 tie.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rhoden|first=William C.|title=Olajuwon A Problem Without A Solution|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/27/sports/pro-basketball-olajuwon-a-problem-without-a-solution.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=August 12, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 27, 1994|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308075433/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/27/sports/pro-basketball-olajuwon-a-problem-without-a-solution.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the first time in team history, in 1994–95, the Utah Jazz won 60 games. In addition, the team won 15 consecutive away games (the best such streak by the team, then the second-best streak in the league). Malone's 26.7 points per game ranked fourth in the NBA, and Malone became the 19th NBA player to reach 20,000 career points on January 20, 1995. In the [[1995 NBA Playoffs|1995 playoffs]], the Jazz lost to the [[1994–95 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] for the second consecutive year, this time in the first round.<ref name="NBA bio"/> The Rockets became [[1995 NBA Finals|NBA champions for the second straight season]].

On January 13, 1996, Malone renewed his contract with the Jazz.<ref name="NBA playerfile">{{cite web|title=Karl Malone|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/karl_malone/|publisher=NBA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050707001704/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/karl_malone/|archive-date=July 7, 2005}}</ref> The Jazz only made it as far as the Western Conference Finals in this period, losing to the [[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] (1992), the [[1993–94 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] (1994) and the [[1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]] (1996).

====Western Conference championship years (1996–1998)====
[[File:Lipofsky-Karl-Malone-32727.jpg|thumb|left|Malone in 1997]]
Malone returned from a [[#Olympic career|gold medal winning-effort at the 1996 Summer Olympics]] leading the Jazz to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances. During the 1996–97 season, Malone put up a resurgent 27.4 points per game while leading the Jazz to a 64–18 record, the most regular-season wins in team history. Malone won his first [[NBA Most Valuable Player]] award, and the Jazz were the top team in the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] and the playoff champions in that conference.<ref name="ESPN Classic"/><ref>{{cite web|title=1996–97 Utah Jazz Roster and Statistics|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-date=May 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512014307/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After sweeping the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season|Los Angeles Clippers]] and defeating the [[1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]], the Jazz took on the [[1996–97 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]], led by the aging trio of [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], [[Charles Barkley]], and [[Clyde Drexler]]. The Jazz beat them in six games (the last victory coming on a last-second shot by Stockton). Malone finally reached the NBA Finals in [[1997 NBA Finals|1997]], where they played the [[Michael Jordan|Jordan]]-led [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]]. In a matchup of the two previous MVPs, the Bulls won the first two games at the [[United Center]]. Malone struggled from the field, going 6 of 20 for 20 points in Game 2. However, the Jazz won the next two games at the [[Delta Center]] behind Malone's 37 points in Game 3 and 23 in Game 4, including a game-winning fastbreak lay-up off a spectacular assist by Stockton in the last minute. The Bulls won the next two games and the series, with Malone struggling from the foul line in Game 6.

The next season saw the Jazz once again dominate. Malone put up 27 points per game and just missed out on his second MVP award, losing to Jordan. Nevertheless, the Jazz posted a 62–20 record, which was the best in the NBA. The Jazz once again were seated at the top of the Western Conference, and in the 1998 playoffs they defeated the [[1997–98 Houston Rockets season|Rockets]], [[1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season|Spurs]], and [[1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] via a sweep en route to their second consecutive [[1998 NBA Finals|Finals]] appearance. The rematch with the [[1997–98 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]] would start differently, as Malone put up 21 points and the Jazz won Game 1, 88–85. Malone found himself unable to put up consistently high numbers, due in large part to the swarming defense of defenders [[Dennis Rodman]] and [[Scottie Pippen]]. In Game 5 of the 1998 Finals, Malone led the Jazz in scoring with 39 points, and the Jazz beat the Bulls 83–81 in Chicago. Malone scored his 39 points on 17-for-27 shooting and also made 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 turnover. Many of his shots were "mid-range turnaround jumpers from the left side".<ref name="1998 game 5 ESPN">{{cite web|last=Hollinger|first=John|title=Best single-game performances: No. 5|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=BestFinalsGame-Individual-5|publisher=ESPN|access-date=July 3, 2011|date=June 11, 2010|archive-date=June 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616090230/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john%26page=BestFinalsGame-Individual-5|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals|sixth game]] of the Finals was held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and by trailing the series 3–2 the team was one loss away from losing the series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=THE N.B.A. FINALS; Defeat Deferred, but Jazz Isn't Smiling Yet|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/14/sports/the-nba-finals-defeat-deferred-but-jazz-isn-t-smiling-yet.html|access-date=July 3, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 14, 1998|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113442/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/14/sports/the-nba-finals-defeat-deferred-but-jazz-isn-t-smiling-yet.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Malone scored 31 points and made 11 rebounds. Although the Jazz held leads of 49–45 by halftime and 66–61 after the third quarter, the team squandered their lead in the fourth and would lose after Malone lost a pass in the [[Low post|post]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wise|first=Mike|title=THE N.B.A. FINALS; A Steal, a Shot and One More Crown|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/the-nba-finals-a-steal-a-shot-and-one-more-crown.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=July 3, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 15, 1998|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103815/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/the-nba-finals-a-steal-a-shot-and-one-more-crown.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> With 18.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Jazz leading 86–85, Bulls guard/forward [[Michael Jordan]] stole the ball just passed to Malone and with 5.2 seconds left made a jump shot that gave the Bulls an 87–86 lead. [[John Stockton]] missed a game-winning jump shot. Jordan's shot has been dubbed the "greatest shot" of his career, and the Bulls' 1998 title was their third consecutive championship and sixth since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Selena|title=THE N.B.A. FINALS; Pippen's Pain Pushes Jordan to Greatest Feat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/the-nba-finals-pippen-s-pain-pushes-jordan-to-greatest-feat.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=July 3, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 15, 1998|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103838/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/the-nba-finals-pippen-s-pain-pushes-jordan-to-greatest-feat.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Later seasons with Jazz (1998–2003)====
On November 12, 1998, during the [[1998–99 NBA lockout|lockout that shortened the 1998–99 season]], Malone declared on his Los Angeles-based radio show that he would demand a trade from the Jazz after the end of the lockout, citing a lack of respect from the team owner [[Larry H. Miller]] and the Utah media, which he dubbed "goons".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/1998/11/12/19411808/malone-wants-out/|title=Malone wants out|date=November 12, 1998|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=November 17, 2018|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105033/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/662508/Malone-wants-out.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A week later, Malone backed off on his trade demands, stating in an interview that he would still love to play for the Jazz with "everything else being equal".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/665618/Mailman-backs-off-trade-demand.html|title=Mailman backs off trade demand - 'The Karl Malone Show' returns to the airwaves in S.L.|date=November 19, 1998|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=November 17, 2018|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117105119/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/665618/Mailman-backs-off-trade-demand.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The NBA regular season resumed in February and Malone won his second MVP award, with the Jazz going 37–13 during the 50-game regular season. They lost in the second round that year to the [[1998–99 Portland Trail Blazers season|Trail Blazers]], and for the next several years the Jazz fell out of title contention. The Jazz won Game 5 of the second-round [[1999 NBA Playoffs|1999]] round against the Blazers 88–71 to force a sixth game, and Malone scored 23 points. In that game, Malone elbowed the Blazers' [[Brian Grant]], something he also did in Game 1 and for which he was fined $10,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blazers lose their cool|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/western/news/1999/05/25/blazers_jazz_game5/|work=CNN.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 12, 2011|date=May 25, 1999|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104180814/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/western/news/1999/05/25/blazers_jazz_game5/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite the decline of his team and his advancing age, Malone averaged 25.5, 23.2, 22.4, and 20.6 points per game in his last four seasons with Utah. In the 2002–2003 season, Malone passed [[Wilt Chamberlain]] for second on the all-time scoring list with 36,374 points. He became a free agent in 2003, the year Stockton had retired. For the time Malone and Stockton played together on the Jazz (1985–2003), the two formed one of the most productive guard–forward combinations in NBA history.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Playing coach [[Jerry Sloan]]'s scrappy and tough style and perfecting the [[pick and roll]] to a maximum degree of efficiency, the Jazz regularly made the playoffs with a winning record. Malone led the Jazz to multiple 50-win seasons with the exception of [[1992–93 NBA season|1992–93]] (47–35).

===Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004)===
[[File:Karl Malone Lakers (cropped).jpg|thumb|Malone with the Lakers]]
Malone played in the NBA for one more season, joining the [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] in an attempt to win a championship. All-Star point guard [[Gary Payton]] also joined the Lakers in an attempt to win his first NBA championship, and with Malone, Payton, [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Kobe Bryant]], the Lakers were favorites to win the title. The No. 32 jersey Malone had worn for 19 years with the Jazz was already retired in honor of [[Magic Johnson]], and while Johnson offered to allow Malone to wear the number, Malone ultimately declined,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-18 |title=Karl wants 32 to stay Magic |url=https://www.deseret.com/2003/7/18/19735784/karl-wants-32-to-stay-magic/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> and instead wore a number 11 jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jersey #11 - All Things Lakers - Los Angeles Times |url=https://projects.latimes.com/lakers/jersey/11/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=projects.latimes.com |language=en}}</ref> The Lakers rolled out to a dominant 18–3 start to the season, but on December 21, Malone suffered a knee injury against the [[Phoenix Suns]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2003 |title=MRI reveals no tear |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1692425 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> that forced him to miss 39 games. Malone returned by the season's end, as the Lakers entered the playoffs with 56 wins and the number 2 seed in the playoffs. In the first round against the [[Houston Rockets]], Malone posted double-figure scoring in 4 games, including a 30-point and 13-rebound effort in the Lakers' game 4 victory. The Lakers advanced to face the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in the conference semifinals, where Malone played a critical role on defense against [[Tim Duncan]], despite not scoring more than 13 points in any game during the series. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in 6 games in the conference semifinals before defeating the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in 6 games in the conference finals to advance to the NBA Finals. He scored 17 points on two occasions against Minnesota and averaged 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game in the playoffs.

The 40-year-old Malone's quest to win an NBA championship failed as the Lakers were defeated in five games by the [[2003–04 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] in the [[2004 NBA Finals]]. Malone sprained his right knee in game three and played injured in games three and four before missing the fifth and final game of the series.

===Retirement===
After his season with the Lakers, Malone became a [[free agent]]. He had knee surgery during the summer of 2004, and personal problems<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1944994|title=Bad pass: Kobe-Karl rift over Vanessa Bryant|date=December 13, 2004|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 20, 2016|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410182131/http://espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1944994|url-status=live}}</ref> with Lakers guard [[Kobe Bryant]]<ref>[https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1944994&type=story "Kobe 'upset' about Malone's comments to wife"], ESPN.com (December 12, 2004).</ref> prompted Malone not to return for another season with the team. The [[2004–05 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]] sought to sign Malone for 2004–05.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beck|first=Howard|title=Fairy Tale or Not, Knicks Call Malone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/sports/basketball/10knicks.html|access-date=July 25, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 10, 2004|archive-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528043823/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/sports/basketball/10knicks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In early February 2005, prior to the [[2005 NBA All-Star Game]], Malone's agent speculated that Malone would sign with the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{cite news|title=If Malone Returns, It Could Be With Spurs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/08/sports/basketball/08nba.html|access-date=July 25, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 8, 2005|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210111900/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/08/sports/basketball/if-malone-returns-it-could-be-with-spurs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Spurs head coach [[Gregg Popovich]] confirmed his team was interested in signing Malone, should he decide to play one more season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1985751|title=Malone decision on Spurs before All-Star break|date=February 6, 2005|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042451/http://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1985751|url-status=live}}</ref>

At a press conference on February 13, 2005, at the Delta Center, Malone officially announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone: 'You will not see me play again'|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1990848|access-date=July 25, 2011|newspaper=ESPN.com|date=February 14, 2005|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107053854/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1990848|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Utah Jazz retired Malone's jersey number 32 on March 23, 2006, when the Jazz hosted the [[Washington Wizards]]. He was also honored with the unveiling of a [[Bronze sculpture|bronze statue]] outside the [[Vivint Smart Home Arena|EnergySolutions Arena]] next to teammate [[John Stockton]], and the renaming of a portion of 100 South in [[Salt Lake City]] in his honor. The location where the statues stand is now the intersection of Stockton and Malone.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 23, 2006|title=Jazz Retired Malone's No. 32|newspaper=KSL.com|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=180647|access-date=March 14, 2008|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604183158/http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=180647|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Olympic career==
In 1984, Malone and Stockton were both cut from the [[United States men's national basketball team]] but joined the team in 1992, when national basketball teams welcomed NBA players. Prior to that only professionals from leagues other than the NBA were allowed to compete, and that greatly disadvantaged the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usab.com/history/why-can-pros-complete-in-international-events.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120113156/http://www.usab.com/history/why-can-pros-complete-in-international-events.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |title=Why Can Pros Complete In International Events |publisher=USA Basketball |last=Hubbard |first=Jan |access-date=July 28, 2021 }}</ref>

The [[Oregon National Guard]] made Malone an honorary member after the U.S. national team beat the [[Venezuela men's national basketball team|Venezuelan team]] 127–80 in the gold-medal game of the 1992 Olympic qualifier tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone Is Now a Forward in the Guard|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/07/sports/sports-people-basketball-malone-is-now-a-forward-in-the-guard.html|access-date=July 26, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 7, 1992|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114192809/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/07/sports/sports-people-basketball-malone-is-now-a-forward-in-the-guard.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malone played in the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992]] and [[1996 Summer Olympics]] and won gold medals with the US team both years. In the 1996 Olympics, Malone averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game and made 56.9% of two-point field goal attempts and 52.9% of free-throw attempts.<ref name="FIBA 1996">{{cite web|title=1996 Olympic Games: Tournament for Men: 11 – Karl Malone|url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/25172/sid/2944/tid/379/_/1996_Olympic_Games_Tournament_for_Men/index.html|publisher=FIBA|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=August 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804085543/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/25172/sid/2944/tid/379/_/1996_Olympic_Games_Tournament_for_Men/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, he was inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with the rest of the original [[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Dream Team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700056824/Utah-Jazz-For-Karl-Malone-John-Stockton-Dream-Team-erased-memories.html?pg=all|title=Utah Jazz: For Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dream Team erased memories|last=Genessy|first=Jody|website=DeseretNews.com|date=August 14, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2016|archive-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314044921/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700056824/Utah-Jazz-For-Karl-Malone-John-Stockton-Dream-Team-erased-memories.html?pg=all|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

=== Louisiana Tech (2007–2011) ===
On May 31, 2007, Malone became director of basketball promotion and assistant strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater [[Louisiana Tech University]] and donated $350,000 to the university athletic department.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone joins Louisiana Tech hoop program, donates|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=2888007|work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 20, 2011|date=May 31, 2007|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421175358/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=2888007|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 29, 2013, Malone returned to the Utah Jazz to work as a big man coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/karl-malone-work-utah-jazz-big-men|title=Karl Malone to Work with Utah Jazz Big Men|work=NBA.com|publisher=NBA.cm|access-date=June 1, 2013|date=May 29, 2013|archive-date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608094724/http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/karl-malone-work-utah-jazz-big-men|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Player profile==
[[File:SLC KarlMaloneStatue 04Oct2017.jpg|thumb|right|Malone's statue outside the [[Delta Center]] (then Vivint Smart Home Arena, pictured in 2017)]]
Malone is regarded as one of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA and was known as "the Mailman" for his consistent delivery.<ref name="NYT 1988">{{cite news|last=Goldaper|first=Sam|title=Malone Becomes A Major Force|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/15/sports/malone-becomes-a-major-force.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=July 26, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 15, 1988|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010629/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/15/sports/malone-becomes-a-major-force.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> He collected two regular-season MVP Awards, eleven NBA First Team nominations and was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times. In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Malone as the 16th greatest player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3092942/2022/01/28/nba-75-at-no-16-karl-malone-was-a-strong-durable-presence-who-became-the-leagues-no-2-all-time-leading-scorer/ | title=NBA 75: At No. 16, Karl Malone was a strong, durable presence who became the league's No. 2 all-time leading scorer | work=The New York Times | access-date=March 11, 2023 | archive-date=March 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311001040/https://theathletic.com/3092942/2022/01/28/nba-75-at-no-16-karl-malone-was-a-strong-durable-presence-who-became-the-leagues-no-2-all-time-leading-scorer/ | url-status=live | last1=Jones | first1=Aaliyah }}</ref>

Malone wore number 32 for the Utah Jazz. He wore [[11 (number)|number 11]] for the Los Angeles Lakers (number 32 was retired honoring Magic Johnson, though Johnson himself offered to have it unretired for Malone to wear, an offer Malone declined), though he was photographed with a number 32 jersey at his Lakers introductory press conference. Malone also wore number 11 for the Dream Team, as the players wore 4 to 15 to adhere to [[FIBA]] rules.

Malone has also played 193 playoff games without winning an [[List of NBA champions|NBA championship]], the most in playoff history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Botkin|first=Brad|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-al-horford-finally-wins-first-nba-title-removes-name-from-list-featuring-karl-malone-james-harden/|title=Celtics' Al Horford finally wins first NBA title, removes name from list featuring Karl Malone, James Harden|work=[[CBS Sports]]|date=June 18, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|leader=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1985}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1985–86 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 81 || 76 || 30.6 || .496 || .000 || .481 || 8.9 || 2.9 || 1.3 || 0.5 || 14.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1986}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1986–87 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 34.8 || .512 || .000 || .598 || 10.4 || 1.9 || 1.3 || 0.7 || 21.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1987}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987–88 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 39.0 || .520 || .000 || .700 || '''12.0''' || 2.4 || 1.4 || 0.6 || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988–89 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 80 || 80 || 39.1 || .519 || .313 || .766 || 10.7 || 2.7 || 1.8 || 0.9 || 29.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1989}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1989–90 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 38.1 || '''.562''' || .372 || .762 || 11.1 || 2.8 || 1.5 || 0.6 || '''31.0'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1990}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1990–91 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 40.3 || .527 || .286 || .770 || 11.8 || 3.3 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 29.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1991}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991–92 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 81 || 81 || 37.7 || .526 || .176 || .778 || 11.2 || 3.0 || 1.3 || 0.6 || 28.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1992}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992–93 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 37.8 || .552 || .200 || .740 || 11.2 || 3.8 || 1.5 || 1.0 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1993}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993–94 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || '''40.6''' || .497 || .250 || .694 || 11.5 || 4.0 || 1.5 || '''1.5''' || 25.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1994}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1994–95 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 38.1 || .536 || .268 || .742 || 10.6 || 3.5 || 1.6 || 1.0 || 26.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1995}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1995–96 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 38.0 || .519 || '''.400''' || .723 || 9.8 || 4.2 || 1.7 || 0.7 || 25.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1996}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1996–97 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 36.6 || .550 || .000 || .755 || 9.9 || 4.5 || 1.4 || 0.6 || 27.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1997}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1997–98 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 81 || 81 || 37.4 || .530 || .333 || .761 || 10.3 || 3.9 || 1.2 || 0.9 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1998}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1998–99 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 49 || 49 || 37.4 || .493 || .000 || .788 || 9.4 || 4.1 || 1.3 || 0.6 || 23.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1999–00 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''82'''* || 35.9 || .509 || .250 || '''.797''' || 9.5 || 3.7 || 1.0 || 0.9 || 25.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2000}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2000–01 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 81 || 81 || 35.7 || .498 || '''.400''' || .793 || 8.3 || 4.5 || 1.1 || 0.8 || 23.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2001}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 80 || 80 || 38.0 || .454 || .360 || '''.797''' || 8.6 || 4.3 || '''1.9''' || 0.7 || 22.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2002}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 81 || 81 || 36.2 || .462 || .214 || .763 || 7.8 || '''4.7''' || 1.7 || 0.4 || 20.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2003}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| 42 || 42 || 32.7 || .483 || .000 || .747 || 8.7 || 3.9 || 1.2 || 0.5 || 13.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career
| 1,476 || 1,471 ||  37.2 || .516 || .274 || .742 || 10.1 || 3.6 || 1.4 || 0.8 || 25.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| All-Star
| 12 || 8 || 20.3 || .542 || – || .725 || 6.2 || 1.6 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 12.1
{{S-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1986 NBA Playoffs|1986]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1985–86 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 4 || 4 || 36.0 || '''.528''' || .000 || .423 || 7.5 || 1.0 || 2.0 || .0 || 21.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987 NBA Playoffs|1987]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1986–87 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 40.0 || .420 || .000 || .722 || 9.6 || 1.2 || '''2.2''' || .8 || 20.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988 NBA Playoffs|1988]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987–88 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 11 || 11 || 44.9 || .482 || .000 || .723 || 11.8 || 1.5 || 1.2 || .6 || 29.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1989 NBA Playoffs|1989]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988–89 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 3 || 3 || '''45.3''' || .500 || .000 || .813 || '''16.3''' || 1.3 || 1.0 || .3 || '''30.7'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1990 NBA Playoffs|1990]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1989–90 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 40.6 || .438 || .000 || .756 || 10.2 || 2.2 || '''2.2''' || 1.0 || 25.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991 NBA Playoffs|1991]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1990–91 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 9 || 9 || 42.6 || .455 || .000 || '''.846''' || 13.3 || 3.2 || 1.0 || '''1.2''' || 29.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992 NBA Playoffs|1992]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991–92 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 16 || 16 || 43.0 || .521 || .000 || .805 || 11.3 || 2.6 || 1.4 || '''1.2''' || 29.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993 NBA Playoffs|1993]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992–93 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 43.2 || .454 || .500 || .816 || 10.4 || 2.0 || 1.2 || .4 || 24.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1994 NBA Playoffs|1994]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993–94 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 16 || 16 || 43.9 || .467 || .000 || .738 || 12.4 || 3.4 || 1.4 || .8 || 27.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1995 NBA Playoffs|1995]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1994–95 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 43.2 || .466 || .333 || .692 || 13.2 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .4 || 30.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1996 NBA Playoffs|1996]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1995–96 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 18 || 18 || 40.3 || .469 || .000 || .574 || 10.3 || 4.4 || 1.9 || .6 || 26.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1997 NBA Playoffs|1997]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1996–97 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 20 || 20 || 40.8 || .435 || .500 || .720 || 11.4 || 2.9 || 1.4 || .8 || 26.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1998 NBA Playoffs|1998]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1997–98 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 20 || 20 || 39.8 || .471 || .000 || .788 || 10.9 || 3.4 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 26.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1999 NBA Playoffs|1999]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1998–99 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 11 || 11 || 41.0 || .417 || .000 || .791 || 11.3 || '''4.7''' || 1.2 || .7 || 21.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2000 NBA Playoffs|2000]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1999–2000 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 10 || 10 || 38.6 || .520 || '''1.000''' || .810 || 8.9 || 3.1 || .7 || .7 || 27.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2001 NBA Playoffs|2001]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2000–01 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 39.8 || .405 || .500 || .796 || 8.8 || 3.4 || 1.0 || .8 || 27.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002 NBA Playoffs|2002]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 4 || 4 || 40.8 || .411 || .000 || .714 || 7.5 || 4.5 || .8 || .8 || 20.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003 NBA Playoffs|2003]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 5 || 38.2 || .405 || .000 || .732 || 6.8 || 4.0 || 1.6 || .4 || 19.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2004 NBA Playoffs|2004]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season|L.A. Lakers]]
| '''21''' || '''21''' || 38.0 || .450 || .000 || .630 || 8.8 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .1 || 11.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| Career
| 193 || 193 || 41.0 || .463 || .162 || .736 || 10.7 || 3.2 || 1.3 || .7 || 24.7
{{S-end}}

==Other ventures==

===Businesses===
Malone is the owner of Teriyaki Grill, Eskamoe's Frozen Custard & More, and [[Arby's]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/765586197/From-the-Mailman-to-a-businessman-Karl-Malone-still-delivers-the-goods.html|title=Doug Robinson: From the Mailman to a businessman, Karl Malone still delivers the goods|last=Robinson|first=Doug|date=June 26, 2012|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=November 18, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002005222/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/765586197/From-the-Mailman-to-a-businessman-Karl-Malone-still-delivers-the-goods.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Josh|last=Martin|title=A RARE PORTRAIT OF KARL MALONE'S LIFE BACK HOME IN LOUISIANA|date=October 31, 2018|work=Closeup360|url=https://www.closeup360.com/culture/karl-malone-louisiana-jazz-nba-511-tactical/|access-date=April 19, 2022|archive-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523044617/https://closeup360.com/culture/karl-malone-louisiana-jazz-nba-511-tactical/|url-status=live}}</ref>

He also owns two car dealerships in Utah and one in Louisiana. Karl Malone Toyota is in the Salt Lake City suburb of [[Draper, Utah]], while Karl Malone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is in [[Heber City, Utah]]. Malone previously co-owned a Toyota dealership in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], with [[Larry H. Miller Dealerships]], but sold his share in 2010. He also co-owned a Honda dealership in [[Sandy, Utah]], with [[John Stockton]], but sold his share, again to Larry H. Miller Dealerships, in 2010. In 2019, he bought a Toyota dealership in [[Ruston, Louisiana]], now called Karl Malone Toyota of Ruston.

Malone also owns three [[Jiffy Lube]] franchises in Utah, and is a part owner of [[Burger King franchises]] in Utah and Idaho.<ref name=":0" />

===Acting===
Malone starred in the 1994 film ''Rockwell'' as a member of [[Porter Rockwell]]'s team.<ref>1st Miracle Pictures (Producer). (2003). Rockwell A Legend of The Wild West [Motion picture]. USA: Peter Pan Industries.</ref> He had a guest appearance as himself and as a superhero named "Pulverizer" in the ''[[Static Shock]]'' episode "Hoop Squad".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/magic/news/McGrady_Makes_Animated_Appeara-100917-66.html|title=McGrady Becomes Superhero in Episode of "Static Shock"|website=Orlando Magic|language=en|access-date=2019-06-08|archive-date=June 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608204129/https://www.nba.com/magic/news/McGrady_Makes_Animated_Appeara-100917-66.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Malone also made a cameo appearance as himself in the 2004 comedy film ''[[Soul Plane]]'' and appears in an episode of ''[[Brother's Keeper (1998 TV series)|Brother's Keeper]]'' from 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540450/ |title=Karl Malone IMDB |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501042148/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540450/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also has a recurring role in a skit called "All Alone with Karl Malone" on the television series ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865680679/Jimmy-Kimmel-launches-new-All-Alone-with-Karl-Malone-segment.html |title=Karl Malone appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's show last night and things got hilarious |work=Deseret News |last=Scribner |first=Herb |date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531065523/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865680679/Jimmy-Kimmel-launches-new-All-Alone-with-Karl-Malone-segment.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Professional wrestling===
[[File:DDP KarlMalone Mail0021.jpg|thumb|right|Malone with [[Diamond Dallas Page]] in 1998]]
After the [[1998 NBA Finals]], Malone and Chicago Bulls power forward [[Dennis Rodman]] participated in a [[professional wrestling]] match in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) at their [[Bash at the Beach 1998|Bash at the Beach]] event in July 1998. Malone, a wrestling fan, teamed with his friend, [[Diamond Dallas Page]], against Rodman and [[Hulk Hogan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone-Rodman Wrestling Might Not Be Over in Finals |date=July 14, 1998 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-14-sp-59937-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108004144/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/14/sports/sp-59937 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Let's get ready to rumble |date=June 17, 1998 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CNN/SI |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/06/17/malone_rodman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104185851/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/06/17/malone_rodman/ |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a poorly received match by some wrestling critics, the two power forwards exchanged "rudimentary headlocks, slams and clotheslines" for 23 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Powell |first=John |title=Mailman doesn't deliver a win |date=July 13, 1998 |publisher=[[CANOE (website)|Canoe Inc]] |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul13_bashbeach.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713153845/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul13_bashbeach.html |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Malone and DDP lost to Rodman and Hogan. The event was a massive financial success for the company, drawing the highest pay-per-view buyrate of 1998 and one of the highest in the company's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2771950-remembering-when-the-rodman-malone-nba-finals-feud-in-1998-led-to-a-wcw-match|title=Remembering When the Rodman-Malone NBA Finals Feud in 1998 Led to a WCW Match|first=Alex|last=Wong|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=July 1, 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421213742/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2771950-remembering-when-the-rodman-malone-nba-finals-feud-in-1998-led-to-a-wcw-match|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==

===Family===
{{hidden|style=float:right; clear:right; width:22em; margin-left:1em; border:1px #aaa solid;
|title=Children of Karl Malone
|content=
* By Bonita Ford
** [[Cheryl Ford|Cheryl]] (born 1981)
** Daryl (born 1981)
* By Gloria Bell
** [[Demetress Bell|Demetress]] (born 1984)
* By Kay Kinsey
** Kadee (born 1991)
** Kylee (born 1993)
** Karl, Jr. (“K.J.”; born 1995)
** Karlee (born 1998)
}}
{{nowrap|Malone married Kay Kinsey}}, winner of the 1988 [[Miss Idaho USA]] pageant, on December 24, 1990.<ref name="Laker wives">{{cite news|last=Boeck|first=Greg|title=L.A. wives' tales|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2004-06-02-lakers-wives-cover_x.htm|access-date=June 24, 2011|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 4, 2004|archive-date=January 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106181113/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2004-06-02-lakers-wives-cover_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> They have four children: daughter Kadee (born November 8, 1991),<ref>{{cite news|title=Struggling Jazz face Clips tonight|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/192766/STRUGGLING-JAZZ-FACE-CLIPS-TONIGHT.html|access-date=June 24, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=November 9, 1991|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918154219/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/192766/STRUGGLING-JAZZ-FACE-CLIPS-TONIGHT.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> daughter Kylee (born April 7, 1993), son Karl Jr. "K.J." (born May 8, 1995), and daughter Karlee (born 1998).<ref name="Laker wives"/> K.J. played football at [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]],<ref>{{cite web|title=K.J. Malone LSU Tigers bio|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=206273361&Q_SEASON=2013|publisher=LSU Sports|access-date=April 12, 2013|date=February 6, 2013|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918021646/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=206273361&Q_SEASON=2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was invited to the 2018 NFL Combine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Out from under his famous father's large shadow, LSU's K.J. Malone aiming to leave own mark ... in NFL and beyond|url=http://www.nfl.com/labs/cfb247/kj-malone/kj-malone|website=NFL.com|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210111837/https://www.nfl.com/news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Karl Malone in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|left|Malone in 2011]]
In 1998, the [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] newspaper ''[[The Globe (tabloid)|The Globe]]'' reported that Malone had been a defendant in paternity lawsuits, filed shortly after Malone began his professional basketball career in the late 1980s. The newspaper alleged that he was the father of three children: two by Bonita Ford, a woman approximately his age from his hometown of Summerfield, Louisiana, and one with Gloria Bell, who was 13 when she gave birth. Malone and Ford were both 17 when twins Daryl and [[Cheryl Ford]] were born;<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone Paternity Revealed|url=http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-23/sports/25738724_1_karl-malone-cheryl-and-daryl-bonita-ford|access-date=June 24, 2011|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=July 23, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093706/http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-23/sports/25738724_1_karl-malone-cheryl-and-daryl-bonita-ford|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> Malone was a 20-year-old college sophomore when Bell, at age 13, gave birth to [[Demetress Bell]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Hill|first=Jemele|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/080507|title=Karl Malone falls short, as a father|work=Page 2|publisher=ESPN|date=May 12, 2008|access-date=June 24, 2011|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428140806/https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill%2F080507|url-status=live}}</ref> No statutory rape charges were filed.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Culture |first1=James Brinsford US Pop |last2=Reporter |first2=Sports |date=2023-02-20 |title=Karl Malone statutory rape allegations resurface ahead of All-Star weekend |url=https://www.newsweek.com/karl-malone-statutory-rape-allegations-resurface-ahead-all-star-1782418 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> In the aftermath of the ''Globe'' story, Malone met the Ford twins for the first time since visiting them in the hospital after they were born.<ref name="meets twins">{{cite news|title=Malone finally meets twins who call him 'Dad'|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/638070/Malone-finally-meets-twins-who-call-him-Dad.html|newspaper=Deseret News|date=June 26, 1998|agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 4, 2011|archive-date=January 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120093535/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/638070/Malone-finally-meets-twins-who-call-him-Dad.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Malone did not meet with Bell at that time, and his attorney insisted that Malone had settled the lawsuits before any conclusive establishment of paternity and thus still did not know whether he was truly the father of any of the children.

The ''Tribune'' confirmed that the judge in the Bell lawsuit ruled Malone to be the father, not based on presented evidence, but rather because Malone did not respond to the suit. The paper also examined court documents detailing the evidence that was to have been presented had Malone responded and a trial ensued. One item listed was a laboratory blood test that concluded with over 99% certainty that Bell's father was either Malone or a brother of Malone. The paper also reported that applying the same blood sample to the Ford twins resulted in a similarly high probability of paternity by Malone.<ref name=Tribune>Fantin, Linda. Spirit vs. Letter of Law in Malone Paternity Suits. ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', July 19, 1998.</ref><ref name=Tribune2>Fantin, Linda. Three Children Who Grew Up in the Shadow of Karl Malone; In spite of settling paternity suits, Jazz superstar never acknowledged Louisiana teens. But recently he made contact with twins; Children Claim Karl Malone Is Their Father. ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', July 19, 1998.</ref> According to the ''Tribune'', Malone challenged the court's ruling with regard to Bell, claiming that the judgment holding him responsible for $125 per week in child support, plus past and future medical expenses, was excessive. Before Malone's appeal was adjudicated, the lawsuit was settled on confidential terms. In the case of the Ford twins, Malone was ruled to be their father when he violated a court order by refusing to reveal his assets or submit to a [[DNA profiling|DNA test]]. Thereafter, another out-of-court settlement was reached.<ref name=Tribune />

By the fall of 1998, Malone accepted his paternity of the Ford twins,<ref name=":1" /> and Kay Malone said publicly that the twins were members of the Malone family.<ref name=Tribune3>Siegel, Lee. Kay Malone Brings Message of Love To Families Panel; Keynote speaker enlivens conference with Mailman household anecdotes; Family The Focus at Utah Conference. ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', November 8, 1998.</ref> Since that time, Karl Malone has maintained a relationship with the twins,{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} each of whom later played college basketball at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech.<ref name=":1" /> Cheryl Ford went on to a 10 year professional basketball career<ref name=":1" /> with the [[Detroit Shock]] of the [[Women's National Basketball Association]].

Bell has played as an [[National Football League|NFL]] offensive lineman for the [[Buffalo Bills]], [[Philadelphia Eagles]], and [[Dallas Cowboys]]. In 2008, ''[[The Buffalo News]]'' reported that Bell's first ever meeting with Malone came shortly after Bell graduated from high school. According to Bell, Malone told him then that it was "too late" for them to have a father-son relationship.<ref name=Buffalo>Wilson, Allen. [http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=394826 Dad Karl Malone a footnote in Demetrius Bell’s life] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319041344/http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=394826 |date=March 19, 2012 }}. ''[[The Buffalo News]]'', April 29, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2008.</ref> However, in 2014, the two repaired their relationship and were in regular contact by 2018.<ref name=Deseret/>

In 2018, Malone said about his relationship with his older children, "I didn't handle it right; I was wrong. ... Father Time is the biggest thief that's out there, and you can't get that back."<ref name=":1" /><ref name=Deseret/>

=== Religion ===
Malone has identified as a [[Baptists|Baptist]] in the past, and his wife and children are [[Catholic Church|Catholics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karl Malone to homophobic ESPN reporter: You won't 'kick over and die' if you touch a gay player - Raw Story |url=https://www.rawstory.com/2013/04/karl-malone-to-homophobic-espn-reporter-you-wont-kick-over-and-die-if-you-touch-a-gay-player/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www.rawstory.com |language=en}}</ref> However, he is said to have served as [[Godparent#Catholic Church|godfather]] to Samuel, the son of [[David Stockton]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Malone a Mailman &#151; and a godfather |url=https://www.deseret.com/2001/10/7/19610451/malone-a-mailman-151-and-a-godfather/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> The Stocktons are devout Catholics whose Church requires that godparents also be Catholics.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-23 |title=Q&A: What are the rules for godparents? |url=https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/qa-what-are-the-rules-for-godparents/20913 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Catholic Telegraph |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Politics===
Malone donated $4,000 to the [[George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign|2004 reelection campaign]] of President [[George W. Bush]] and $2,000 to the [[United States Senate election in Alaska, 2004|2004 U.S. Senate campaign]] of [[Lisa Murkowski]], a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] from Alaska. In 2002, Malone donated $1,000 to the [[United States House elections, 2002#Utah|campaign]] of incumbent U.S. Representative [[Jim Matheson]], a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] representing [[Utah's 2nd congressional district]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Karl Malone|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Karl_Malone.php|publisher=Newsmeat|access-date=June 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622012547/http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Karl_Malone.php|archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> Malone appeared on the "Great American Panel" segment of the [[Fox News]] talk show ''[[Hannity]]'' in March 2009. He advocated support for farmers in Louisiana who were about to lose their jobs due to the closing of [[Pilgrim's Pride]] plants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karl Malone Supports Farmers, Do You?|url=http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/blog/2009/03/12/karl-malone-supports-farmers-do-you|publisher=Fox News|date=March 12, 2009|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103114652/http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/blog/2009/03/12/karl-malone-supports-farmers-do-you|archive-date=November 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Malone has served on the board of directors of the [[National Rifle Association of America]] (NRA), a national firearms advocacy organization.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dave Gilson |title=Meet the NRA's Board of Directors |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/nra-board-members-selleck-nugent |website=Mother Jones |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117042409/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/nra-board-members-selleck-nugent |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |language=en-us |date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Outdoor life===
Malone is an avid hunter and fisherman.<ref name=Deseret>{{cite news |last=Woodyard |first=Eric |url=https://www.deseret.com/2018/12/3/20660533/family-first-utah-jazz-legend-karl-malone-is-content-with-life-after-basketball |title=Family first: Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone is content with life after basketball |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=2018-12-03 |access-date=2019-02-05 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216003610/https://www.deseret.com/2018/12/3/20660533/family-first-utah-jazz-legend-karl-malone-is-content-with-life-after-basketball |url-status=live }}</ref> He owns a summer home near the [[Kenai River]] in Alaska.<ref>{{cite web|title=5 Minutes with Karl Malone|url=http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2009/05/5-minutes-karl-malone|work=Outdoor Life|date=May 2009|access-date=June 25, 2011|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803203014/https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2009/05/5-minutes-karl-malone/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 1998, Malone joined his Jazz teammates [[Chris Morris (basketball)|Chris Morris]] and [[Bryon Russell]], some family members, corporate leadership of [[Jiffy Lube|Q-Lube]], and winners of a Q-Lube contest for a four-day fishing trip to Alaska.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomson|first=Linda|title=Malone's Alaska trip delivers fish, fun|url=https://www.deseret.com/1998/7/19/19391968/malone-s-alaska-trip-delivers-fish-fun/|access-date=July 6, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=July 19, 1998|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220045640/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/642203/Malones-Alaska-trip-delivers-fish-fun.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Public image===
Malone is known for frequently [[Illeism|referring to himself in the third person]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700055705/Karl-Malone-is-one-of-a-kind.html?pg=all
| title = Doug Robinson: Karl Malone is one of a kind
| work = [[Deseret News]]
| date = 2010-08-10
| access-date = 2012-12-06
| quote = Maybe Malone didn't even know he was the one who was saying those things, because he tended to talk about himself as another being, in third person. Or maybe he was just schizophrenic, whatever.
| archive-date = October 19, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151019004408/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700055705/Karl-Malone-is-one-of-a-kind.html?pg=all
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

He has also appeared in television commercials for LA Gear sneakers,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYnAlvyVC8s| title = Catapult Karl Malone Commercial 1991| website = [[YouTube]]| date = September 8, 2018| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525004038/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYnAlvyVC8s&gl=US&hl=en| url-status = live}}</ref> Starter,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptywoSF9yEA| title = (1994) STARTER Athletic Wear Commercial (Don Shula, Emmitt Smith, Karl Malone & Mark Messier)| website = [[YouTube]]| date = October 27, 2020| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525004037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptywoSF9yEA| url-status = live}}</ref> Morris Air Service,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOdtqtmoSs| title = Karl Malone, The Mailman - Morris Air Service Commercial| website = [[YouTube]]| date = January 22, 2016| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525004037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOdtqtmoSs| url-status = live}}</ref> Upper Deck,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDpYYtPXXa4| title = Upper Deck Wall Stars TV Ad With Karl Malone| website = [[YouTube]]| date = May 19, 2020| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525004038/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDpYYtPXXa4| url-status = live}}</ref> and Burger King.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvM3uOm9zKk| title = Karl Malone Burger King Commercial 1997| website = [[YouTube]]| date = April 2017| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525004036/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvM3uOm9zKk| url-status = live}}</ref>

A cereal dedicated to him, MVP Flakes, was produced in 2000.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/28/19558222/jazz-are-suddenly-having-more-fun| title = Jazz are suddenly having more fun| date = April 28, 2000| access-date = 2023-05-24| archive-date = May 25, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230525012843/https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/28/19558222/jazz-are-suddenly-having-more-fun| url-status = live}}</ref>

[[Vanessa Bryant]] has accused Malone of multiple incidents of sexual harassment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Songco |first=Paolo |date=2023-02-21 |title=Lakers: Karl Malone's harassment of Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa resurfaces |url=https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-karl-malone-harassment-of-kobe-bryant-wife-vanessa-resurfaces |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=ClutchPoints |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=February 18, 2023 |title=The NBA Shouldn't Have Creepy Karl Malone at All-Star Weekend |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/karl-malone-creepy-nba-ban-all-star-weekend-utah-gloria-bell-rape-vanessa-bryant-harassment-1234682580/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Walden |first=Eric |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Karl Malone knows opinion on him has shifted, but he won't discuss it |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2023/02/20/karl-malone-his-relationship-with/ |website=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of NBA career scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA franchise career scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career steals leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career turnovers leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career personal fouls leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career games played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career minutes played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff steals leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff turnovers leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff free throw scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff games played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game playoff scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA seasons played leaders]]
* [[List of oldest and youngest NBA players]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.nba.com/history/legends/karl-malone/index.html NBA Legends: Karl Malone]
* {{Basketballstats|nba_historical=karl_malone|bbr=m/malonka01}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050524013723/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/karl_malone/ |date=May 24, 2005 |title=Karl Malone career highlights, highs, and transactions at NBA.com }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120514071051/http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/malone_karl00.html Louisiana Tech biography]
* [http://www.latechsports.com/hallfame/karl_malone.html Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413155945/http://www.latechsports.com/hallfame/karl_malone.html |date=April 13, 2014 }}
* {{IMDb name|0540450}}
* [http://utahstories.com/larry_h_miller_legacy.html UtahStories.com Karl Malone's Impact on Utah Jazz]

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