The Sacramento Kings have made a significant change by parting ways with head coach Mike Brown, who was let go during his third season amid a troubling five-game losing streak. The decision, which has yet to be formally announced by the team, was confirmed by a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. ESPN was the first to report this news.
Brown, who earned the NBA Coach of the Year award in his first season (2022-23), played a crucial role in helping the Kings break a 16-year playoff drought—the longest in NBA history. However, following last season’s disappointing outcome in the Play-In Tournament and a sluggish start to the current campaign, where the team holds a 13-18 record, the Kings decided to make a change. This move comes just months after Brown secured a contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season.
This season has been challenging for Sacramento, with a league-high nine losses in games where they held a lead in the fourth quarter. In what turned out to be Brown’s last game, the Kings lost 114-113 to the Detroit Pistons, despite leading by 10 points with under three minutes to go. The heartbreaking loss underscored the Kings’ struggles, positioning them in 12th place in the competitive Western Conference.
With high expectations for the season, aimed at finishing within the top six in the West, the Kings strengthened their roster during the summer by acquiring DeMar DeRozan through a sign-and-trade deal. Star player De’Aaron Fox, entering the second-to-last year of his substantial contract, has expressed a desire to be part of a team that competes at a high level. However, Sacramento’s performance has fallen short of those aspirations.
One of the main issues contributing to the team’s woes has been their poor record in tightly contested games, particularly a 3-11 record in matches decided by five points or fewer. In his recent comments, Brown highlighted a critical moment in the loss to Detroit, where he criticized Fox for not staying closer to the opposing player, underscoring the need for better defensive play.
With a commendable overall record of 107-88 during his tenure in Sacramento and a positive record in his two full seasons, Brown has provided solid coaching throughout his career. He previously coached in Cleveland and had a stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, boasting a career record of 455-304 and playoff appearances in seven of nine full seasons.
Though the Kings face uncertainty with this coaching change, there is optimism that a new leader can help turn the season around and motivate the talented roster to reach their potential. The team has the pieces necessary to compete, and with the right direction, they may still achieve their goal of securing a playoff spot.
In summary, while the Sacramento Kings are navigating a challenging period with the firing of Mike Brown, this pivotal moment also presents an opportunity to reset and rediscover their path toward success.