The Sacramento Kings have made the decision to part ways with head coach Mike Brown, as the team finds itself struggling amid a five-game losing streak less than halfway through his third season at the helm. General manager Monte McNair described this decision as “difficult” and expressed gratitude for Brown’s contributions to the team. Doug Christie, an assistant coach, has been named interim coach and will lead the team starting with their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Brown was recognized as the NBA’s Coach of the Year in his inaugural season (2022-23) with Sacramento, during which he played a crucial role in helping the Kings end a franchise-record 16-year playoff drought. However, despite his previous success, the Kings struggled last season, being eliminated in the play-in tournament and starting this season with a disappointing record of 13-18. This current situation led to Brown’s dismissal just months after he signed a contract extension that would have kept him with the team through the 2026-27 season.
This season has seen the Kings lose an unflattering nine games after holding a lead in the fourth quarter, culminating in a heartbreaking defeat against the Detroit Pistons during Brown’s final game as coach. The Kings held a ten-point advantage with under three minutes remaining, only to falter and lose the game 114-113 on a crucial four-point play by Jaden Ivey, which occurred after he was fouled while making a three-pointer.
Coming into this season, the Kings aimed to secure a top-six finish in the Western Conference, thereby avoiding the play-in tournament. They strengthened their roster over the summer by acquiring DeMar DeRozan via a sign-and-trade deal, intending to complement key players such as De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray. However, Fox, who is nearing the final year of his five-year, $163 million contract, opted not to sign an extension during the offseason. Earlier this month, he expressed a desire to be part of a team that can “compete at a high level” on a podcast with Draymond Green.
Unfortunately for Sacramento, this season has not reflected those aspirations, as they hold the league’s worst record in games decided by five points or fewer at 3-11. Following the latest loss, Brown openly criticized Fox’s defensive play on the crucial final moments of the game, suggesting that Fox should have been closer to Ivey to avoid fouling him. “You should be hugged up to your man at the 3-point line,” Brown commented. “We told our guys, can’t give up a 3, can’t give up a 3.”
Throughout his two-plus seasons with Sacramento, Brown maintained a record of 107-88, achieving a winning record in both complete seasons he coached. His success in establishing a winning culture is notable, with Rick Adelman being the only other coach to have achieved this since the team moved to Sacramento. Brown’s coaching career spans several stints, including roles with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, amassing an impressive overall record of 455-304 and making the playoffs in seven of his nine complete seasons. He has received the Coach of the Year honor twice, including in 2009 with Cleveland.
With Christie stepping in as interim head coach, he becomes the eighth person to occupy that role since Vivek Ranadive became owner before the 2013-14 season. The Kings currently possess the fourth-worst record in the NBA and have secured the fewest playoff appearances during Ranadive’s ownership, with only one playoff berth to show for their efforts.
