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The Sacramento Kings made the surprising decision to fire head coach Mike Brown, less than halfway through his third season with the team. Brown, who was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2022-23 after leading the Kings to the playoffs for the first time in 16 years, struggled to meet expectations this season. Despite his previous successes, including coaching the Kings to a winning record and a playoff appearance, Sacramento’s 13-18 start in 2024 and a five-game losing streak ultimately led to his dismissal.
Mike Brown had a notable first season with the Kings, where he turned the franchise around by breaking the NBA’s longest playoff drought. His efforts earned him Coach of the Year honors, but the team’s performance has taken a downturn since. Sacramento entered the 2024 season with high hopes, especially after adding veteran DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal. With a roster featuring De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray, the Kings were expected to contend for a top-six spot in the Western Conference and avoid the play-in tournament.
However, despite the strong core of talent, the Kings have struggled in close games, holding an NBA-worst 3-11 record in contests decided by five points or fewer. This inconsistency, combined with losses in crucial moments, led to increased scrutiny on Brown’s leadership. One of the most significant blows came in the team’s latest loss to the Detroit Pistons, where Sacramento blew a fourth-quarter lead, leading to the firing of Mike Brown. In that game, Brown publicly criticized De’Aaron Fox for his role in the game-winning play, further highlighting the mounting tensions between coach and player.
Mike Brown’s firing is a surprising decision, especially after he signed a contract extension with the team in the offseason that would have kept him through the 2026-27 season. Despite his success in the previous two seasons, the Kings’ underperformance this year couldn’t be overlooked. Brown had a 107-88 record in his first two-plus seasons with Sacramento, a solid winning record that hasn’t been seen in the franchise since Rick Adelman. However, the Kings’ inability to close out games and secure victories in key moments led to frustration, culminating in the decision to move on from Brown.
Mike Brown’s track record as a coach has been strong, with a career record of 455-304. His previous coaching experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers allowed him to bring leadership and experience to Sacramento. Brown’s coaching philosophy, focused on defense and structure, initially revitalized the Kings. Yet, this season’s struggles in tight games and an inability to meet the team’s high expectations ultimately led to his dismissal.
The Kings’ firing of Mike Brown represents a critical juncture in the team’s evolution. While the Kings were hopeful that Brown could continue to build on his successes, the team has not been able to find consistent form in 2024. With De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and other key players in their prime, Sacramento will now look to find a new leader to help them reach their goals of competing at a higher level and securing a better playoff position in the Western Conference.
As the Kings search for their next head coach, the question remains whether the franchise can find the right person to maximize the potential of their roster and return to playoff contention. Mike Brown’s legacy with Sacramento will always include breaking the franchise’s playoff drought, but the 2024 season’s struggles ultimately led to the end of his tenure.
