The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with head coach Mike Brown, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The surprising decision comes as the Kings struggle through a five-game losing streak, their longest since January 2022. Currently sitting at 13-18, the team is three games out of contention for a play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Assistant coach Doug Christie is expected to take over as interim head coach, multiple reports suggest.
A Shocking Move
Brown’s firing has left many within the organization and fanbase stunned. He had just finished leading the team’s practice and speaking to reporters when the decision was announced. According to Matt George of ABC 10, Brown was fired “just before the team boarded a flight to Los Angeles” to face the Lakers.
“This is a disaster for the Sacramento Kings,” George wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He just ran a full practice and spent 15 minutes talking to the media. Just bad, man. Bad bad bad.”
During practice earlier on Friday (December 27), Brown addressed the team’s struggles and reflected on the challenges of coaching in the NBA.
“I’ve been through a lot in this business,” Brown said. “I’ve been through way more good times than bad times, but I’ve been through some bad times. I’ve been fortunate, and blessed … to be around great players and great coaches. The crazy part about it is I’ve been around coaches that have won titles. They have a lot of smoke they’ve got to face when their little stretch of adversity is not great.”
A Disappointing Season After a Promising Start
Brown’s firing marks the end of his fourth coaching stint in the NBA. During his career, he amassed a record of 454-304 and led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since the 2005-06 season during the 2022-23 campaign.
The Kings entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations, boasting a talented lineup featuring De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan. However, the team’s inconsistency and recent losing streak have derailed hopes of a major leap this season.
Adding to the shock of the decision, Brown had agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season in June, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of the Kings’ future.
Looking Ahead
With Doug Christie stepping in as interim coach, the Kings will need to quickly regroup as they face the Los Angeles Lakers in their next matchup. Fans and analysts alike are questioning the timing of Brown’s firing and its potential impact on the team’s long-term vision.
For now, the move leaves a significant void in the organization, raising questions about whether the Kings can recover from what has become a turbulent season.
