Mike Brown has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, according to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania. His dismissal comes on the heels of a disappointing performance by the team, which is currently experiencing a five-game losing streak and has won only 5 of their last 17 games. The Kings’ record stands at 13-18, placing them at the bottom of the Pacific Division and ranking 12th in the Western Conference.
Assistant coach Doug Christie has been appointed as the interim head coach. The Kings are set to continue their season with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The decision to part ways with Brown follows a narrow loss to the Detroit Pistons, where the Kings missed out on a win by just one point after a pivotal four-point play in the final moments of the game. Following a practice session and a media briefing, Brown was let go just before the team was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles.
In a statement, Brown reflected on his journey in coaching, acknowledging both the highs and lows of the profession. Despite the challenges he faced in Sacramento, he expressed gratitude for the talented players and coaches he has had the privilege to work with throughout his career. Brown, who earned the title of Coach of the Year in 2023, had recently signed a lucrative three-year contract extension that placed him among the league’s top earners at an annual salary of $8.5 million.
Over his career, which includes stints as head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown boasts an overall record of 454-304. He also served as an assistant coach for several championship teams, notably with the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.
Doug Christie, who now takes over as head coach, brings a rich history with the Kings, having been a player for the team as well as an assistant coach. His experience and familiarity with the organization may help the team navigate through this challenging time.
This coaching change reflects the Kings’ commitment to improving their performance and could potentially lead to a refreshing turnaround as the season progresses. Fans have a reason to remain hopeful, as the adjustments in coaching may reinvigorate the team’s dynamics and strategy moving forward.