The Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Mike Brown amid a disappointing 13-18 start to the NBA season. The decision follows a five-game losing streak and comes just months after Brown signed a contract extension. Assistant coach Doug Christie will serve as interim head coach.
The Sacramento Kings have made a significant change in their coaching staff by firing head coach Mike Brown after a challenging start to the NBA season. The decision comes as the team struggles with a 13-18 record and a five-game losing streak, placing them 12th in the Western Conference. This move marks a pivotal moment for the Kings, who had high hopes for the season after acquiring key players and extending Brown's contract.
The Sacramento Kings have faced a tough start to the 2024 NBA season, currently holding a 13-18 record. The team has been struggling, especially in close games, with an NBA-worst 3-11 record in matches decided by five points or fewer. The recent five-game losing streak, all at home, has exacerbated the situation, leading to the decision to part ways with head coach Mike Brown. The Kings had entered the season with aspirations of finishing in the top six in the Western Conference, especially after acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal to strengthen their roster alongside core players like De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis [1] [2].
Mike Brown was appointed head coach of the Kings ahead of the 2022-23 season and quickly made an impact by leading the team to its first playoff appearance since 2006. This achievement ended the longest active playoff drought in NBA history. Brown was named NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts during his first season with the Kings. However, despite this initial success, the team regressed in the following season, missing the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament. Brown's overall record with the Kings stands at 107-88. Despite signing a three-year extension through 2027, the team's recent performance and inability to close out games led to his dismissal [3] [4].
Following the firing of Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings have appointed Doug Christie as the interim head coach. Christie, a former Kings player, has been an assistant coach with the team since 2021. His familiarity with the team and its dynamics is expected to provide some stability during this transitional period. The Kings are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers in their next game, a challenging matchup that will test Christie's leadership. The team's management hopes that this change will help turn around their season and improve their standing in the Western Conference [5] [6].
The decision to fire Mike Brown as head coach of the Sacramento Kings marks a critical juncture for the team. Despite his previous success and accolades, the team's recent struggles have necessitated a change in leadership. With Doug Christie stepping in as interim coach, the Kings aim to regroup and refocus on their goals for the season. As the team prepares for upcoming challenges, the management and fans alike hope for a turnaround that will restore the team's competitive edge in the Western Conference.
"I've been through a lot in this business, I've been through way more good times than bad times, but I've been through some bad times." - Mike Brown
"You should be hugged up to your man at the 3-point line. Everybody should, and why there was a closeout by Fox, I'm not sure." - Mike Brown