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[Saba Sports News] The Sacramento Kings’ woes deepened Thursday night with a narrow 114-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons, extending their losing streak to five games. Amid the struggles, reports emerged that the Kings have decided to part ways with head coach Mike Brown, just 18 months after he earned NBA Coach of the Year honors.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Friday that the 54-year-old coach’s dismissal is effective immediately. Brown, who joined the Kings three seasons ago, oversaw a remarkable turnaround in 2023, leading the team to a 48-34 record—their best since 2005—and ending a 17-year playoff drought. The Kings’ season ended in a seven-game first-round loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The decision sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans voicing both outrage and approval:
– One user criticized the organization, “Softest organization in history. Mike Brown shows heart – holds his players accountable…and he’s fired. Ownership protecting the players like babies. Millions a year! No authority!”
– Another highlighted a troubling trend, “The third Coach of the Year fired in 6 years. Mike Brown, Dwayne Casey, and Mike Budenholzer.”
– Others blamed Sacramento’s front office, “It is WILD how that front office did nothing to address roster holes in the offseason and now it’s Mike Brown’s fault. Bottom feeder organization.”
Some fans welcomed the move, comparing Brown unfavorably to other coaches, “All that overhype is finally DONE. I still remember him as a Lakers coach & he was BAD…he did improve over the years tho.”
A few pointed fingers at Kings star De’Aaron Fox, “Fox got his coach fired plain and simple. It’s easier to fire a coach than a player. Nothing new. Kings are never going to win a championship anyway.”
Brown’s firing comes after a heartbreaking loss to Detroit at home. Despite holding a three-point lead in the final seconds, Jaden Ivey’s and-1 three-pointer sealed the Pistons’ victory. Postgame, Brown criticized his team for failing to execute a plan to foul on the floor.
Sacramento’s struggles to close out games have been a recurring issue this season. The Kings have lost five games where they led entering the fourth quarter, a problem only surpassed by the Toronto Raptors. The team sits at 13-18 overall and has struggled at home with a surprising 6-12 record.
Doug Christie, a former Kings player and assistant coach, is expected to step in as interim head coach. Christie brings 15 years of NBA playing experience and has been part of Sacramento’s coaching staff since 2021.
Brown departs with a .549 win percentage, the fourth-best in Kings franchise history, but his tenure ends abruptly despite a recent multiyear contract extension worth $30 million.
The Kings now face an uphill battle to salvage their season, starting with Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.