The Sacramento Kings have made the decision to part ways with coach Mike Brown, terminating his contract less than halfway through his third season with the team. The move comes amidst a challenging period for the Kings, who are currently on a five-game losing streak. General manager Monte McNair described the decision as a difficult one and expressed gratitude towards Brown for his contributions to the team.
Following Brown's dismissal, assistant coach Doug Christie has been appointed as the interim head coach. Christie will lead the team in their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Brown, who was named the NBA Coach of the Year in his first season with the Kings in 2022-23, played a pivotal role in ending the team's 16-season playoff drought. However, the Kings' performance has faltered in recent times, with a disappointing exit in the play-in tournament last year and a 13-18 start to the current season.
The decision to part ways with Brown comes just six months after he signed a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have struggled to close out games this season, losing an NBA-worst nine games after holding leads in the fourth quarter.
In Brown's final game as coach against the Detroit Pistons, the Kings squandered a 10-point lead in the closing minutes, ultimately falling to a game-winning shot by Jaden Ivey. The defeat left the Kings in 12th place in the competitive Western Conference.
Sacramento had high hopes for the season, aiming to secure a top-six finish in the West and avoid the play-in tournament. The team made significant moves in the offseason, including acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal to bolster their roster.
Star player De'Aaron Fox, who declined a contract extension in the offseason, expressed a desire to compete at a high level. However, the Kings have struggled to meet expectations, particularly in close games where they hold a league-worst 3-11 record in games decided by five points or fewer.
Brown's tenure with the Kings saw him amass a 107-88 record, achieving a winning record in both of his full seasons. His departure marks the end of an era for the team, as he becomes the latest in a series of coaching changes under owner Vivek Ranadive's leadership.
Christie steps into the role of head coach as the Kings aim to turn their season around and strive for success in a highly competitive NBA landscape.
