The Sacramento Kings have reportedly parted ways with head coach Mike Brown after a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season. The decision comes as the Kings languish at 13-18, amid a five-game losing streak and having dropped 12 of their last 17 games. Assistant coach Doug Christie is expected to step in as interim head coach.
The timing of Brown’s dismissal was particularly striking. According to KXTV sports anchor Matt George, the firing occurred shortly before the team was set to board its flight to Los Angeles. Brown had conducted practice earlier in the day and even spoke with the media for 15 minutes, giving no indication of his impending departure.
Brown’s tenure in Sacramento began with high hopes. Hired ahead of the 2022-23 season, he led the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 16 years and earned NBA Coach of the Year honors for his efforts. It was his second time receiving the award, having first won it in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, the Kings’ postseason run ended in the first round that year, and they failed to advance past the play-in tournament last season.
Brown’s dismissal marks the latest chapter in a coaching career that has seen both highs and lows. In addition to his success in Sacramento, he previously served as head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers in two stints, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite his accolades, including leading the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, consistency has often eluded his teams.
The Kings’ struggles this season have centered around defensive issues and an inability to close out games. Despite the star power of players like De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the team has failed to gel on the court.
Expectations were high after last season’s disappointment, and the slow start appears to have been the final straw for the organization.
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Assistant coach Doug Christie, a former Kings player and rising coaching talent, now takes the reins on an interim basis. Christie has been with the Kings’ coaching staff since 2021 and is well-regarded for his defensive acumen and ability to connect with players. His immediate challenge will be stabilizing the team and keeping their playoff hopes alive in a competitive Western Conference.
The Kings are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers in their next game, a matchup that now takes on added intrigue with Christie leading the team for the first time.
Meanwhile, the organization will begin its search for a permanent head coach, hoping to find the right leader to maximize the potential of its talented roster and build on the progress made under Brown.
