Sacramento Kings Fire Coach Mike Brown After Five-Game Slump
The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with head coach Mike Brown, announcing his dismissal on Friday. This comes after a disappointing five-game losing streak and a significant drop in performance, leaving the Kings with a 13-18 record. They stand last in their division and twelfth in the Western Conference.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the news. Assistant coach Doug Christie will step in as the interim coach, set to lead the team against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
Mike Brown: An Overview
Mike Brown, 54, had led the Kings for two full seasons and was awarded Coach of the Year in 2023. He had recently signed a lucrative three-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
In his time with Sacramento, Brown compiled a 107-88 record, culminating in their first playoff series victory since 2006. Prior to becoming a head coach, Brown had stints as an assistant coach for multiple championship teams, including the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and Golden State Warriors.
“I’ve been through a lot in this business, I’ve been through way more good times than bad times, but I’ve been through some bad times,” Brown told reporters on Friday. “I’ve been fortunate, blessed … to be around great players and great coaches, and the crazy part about it is I’ve been around coaches that have won titles. And they have a lot of smoke they’ve got to face when their little stretch of adversity is not great.”
The Kings’ decision to fire Brown comes as they navigate a difficult period in their season. The firing of a successful coach mid-season is sure to raise questions about the future direction of the franchise.
**Stay tuned for updates on the Sacramento Kings and the NBA season.**