Jan 21, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings assistant coach Doug Christie (center) applauds during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Kings Announce Interim Head Coach After Parting With Mike Brown

Originally posted on Sacramento Kings on SI
By Will Zimmerle | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 6:07 PM ET

Kings Kevin Huerter Adjusting to New Role

After letting go of Mike Brown, ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Sacramento Kings are turning to Doug Christie as interim head coach.

Doug Christie is expected to be the Sacramento Kings’ interim head coach, sources tell ESPN. Christie has been an assistant with the Kings since 2021-22 and played in Sacramento for five of his 15 NBA seasons. pic.twitter.com/FukvFNTHRN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2024

Doug Christie is a fan favorite in Sacramento, and with 403 games played in Sacramento and 285 as an assistant coach, he is an integral part of the franchise. He previously stepped in for Alvin Gentry during the 2021-22 season when Gentry was out with COVID and earned his first victory as the Kings beat the Washington Wizards 119-105.

It will be up to Christie to try and turn around the Kings' season as Sacramento sits at 12th in the Western Conference with a 13-18 record.

Tensions appeared high in the locker room between the players and Mike Brown, and it's possible that a new voice in Christie rights the ship. But no matter what happens with the coaches, the Kings roster still has deficiencies that need to be addressed via trades.

The ironic part about promoting Doug Christie to interim head coach is that he is the exact type of player that would be perfect for the Kings to add. A lengthy player who excels on defense and can knock down shots.

Time will tell if there are more moves to come, but for now fans turn to a fan favorite in a time of need.

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This article first appeared on Sacramento Kings on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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