The Sacramento Kings have made a significant change, firing head coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team. This decision follows a disappointing five-game losing streak, according to a source close to the situation who requested to remain anonymous until the official announcement is made.
Mike Brown, who was awarded NBA Coach of the Year for his performance in the 2022-2023 season, played a key role in helping the Kings break a 16-year playoff drought, the longest in NBA history. However, the team’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse. Despite the promise shown last season, the Kings struggled in the recent campaign, starting off with a 13-18 record. This led to the decision to part ways with Brown, just six months after he secured a contract extension that ran through the end of the 2026-27 season.
This season has been particularly tough for Sacramento, which holds the unfortunate distinction of having lost nine games after leading in the fourth quarter—more than any other team in the league. Brown’s final game was emblematic of the team’s struggles. In a recent matchup against the Detroit Pistons, the Kings led by 10 points with just three minutes left but faltered, ultimately losing 114-113 due to a late, crucial foul.
The Kings entered this season with high hopes of finishing in the top six of the Western Conference, especially after acquiring star player DeMar DeRozan in a summer trade. The roster features promising talents like De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray.
Fox, currently in the latter part of a five-year, $163 million contract, opted not to sign an extension this offseason, stating he desires to play for a team that can compete more effectively. Unfortunately, the Kings have struggled, particularly evident in their poor record of 3-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. Brown criticized Fox for not being positioned correctly during the game-winning play against Detroit, emphasizing the importance of sticking close to opponents beyond the three-point line.
In his tenure with Sacramento, Mike Brown recorded a 107-88 overall mark, achieving a winning record in both of his complete seasons. Over the years, he has had successful stints as a coach in Cleveland and Los Angeles, with a career record of 455 wins against 304 losses and playoff appearances in seven of his nine full seasons. Brown has previously earned Coach of the Year honors twice, including a win in Cleveland during the 2008-09 season.
As the Kings move forward, they will look to rebound and regain their competitive edge in the league.
