The Sacramento Kings fired coach Mike Brown, ESPN reported Friday. The Kings started the season with a 13-18 record, putting them on the outside of the playoffs and play-ins at the end of December. Brown’s firing comes less than two years after he was named NBA Coach of the Year and helped Sacramento end a 16-year playoff drought and just six months after he signed a contract. contract extension. Kings assistant Doug Christie would now be the team’s interim head coach.
Brown became head coach of the Kings ahead of the 2022-23 season. In his first season, he led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006, which was the longest active playoff drought. NBA history, and the longest throughout the NBA, NFL, MLB And NHL. Brown won Coach of the Year honors that season, as the Kings appeared to be on an upward trajectory.
But after a successful season in his first year at the helm, Sacramento regressed last season and missed the playoffs after losing in the play-offs to the New Orleans Pelicans. This season has been by far the most disappointing, as they are currently on a five-game losing streak, have lost 12 of their last 17 games and are top of the league. 13 clutch lossesa surprising number considering De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan are among the best clutch players in the league.
Prior to his time with the Kings, Brown also served as a head coach with the Cavaliers and Lakers and has a career record of 454-304 (.599) in the regular season.
The Mike Brown era with the Kings
| Season | Save | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
|
2022-23 |
48-34 |
No. 3 seed in the West, lost in first round |
|
2023-24 |
46-36 |
Seed No. 9 in the West, lost in play-in |
|
2024-25 |
13-18 |
To be determined |
In addition to the disappointing results on the ground, trade rumors Reports regarding Fox have circulated as the star point guard reportedly considered his future in Sacramento. Fox refused to sign a contract extension this past offseason, creating a situation where his time with the Kings could be coming to an end.
As for Brown, you could see the frustration boiling over after a heartbreaking loss to the Pistons on Thursday night. Sacramento blew a 19-point lead to the Pistons, but held a three-point lead with 10 seconds left. However, on Detroit’s final possession, not only did Sacramento allow Jaden Ivey to make a 3-pointer, which he did, but Fox fouled Ivey on the shot and he made his free throw, winning the game for the Pistons. After the game, Brown was visibly frustrated with his team’s effort late in that game, specifically calling out Fox for that final possession.
“We told them – they know – that the only thing that could hurt us was a 3,” he added. Brown said.. “I have to go back and watch the film to see exactly where (De’Aaron) Fox was, but there was no reason for there to be a difficult close. We agreed that they score a 2 at the rim, so you should I’m not able to help at all You should be tight against your man at the 3 point line Everyone should do it. a fence by Fox, I’m not sure, I gotta go back and watch the tape But for sure, We told our guys 100%, we can’t give up a 3. Stay connected, stay on the high side. if your guy is on the ground, just jump to his high side The only thing that can hurt we’re at 3. And we close out and we foul with three seconds to go, because we keep on. tell our guys that you have to pay attention to details… Relaxing like that at that point in the match was difficult.”
The timing of Brown’s firing is quite surprising, considering he spoke to the media today ahead of Sacramento’s game against the Lakers on Saturday night. But it’s clear the Kings felt a change was necessary.
