Doug Christie became the interim head coach of the Sacramento Kings during a tough time for the team, with a losing streak, fans booing, and questions about firing Mike Brown, who had led the team to its first playoff appearance in 16 years in 2023.
Christie earned his first win as head coach on Monday with a 110-100 victory over the Mavericks, a win that was crucial for both the team’s season and for him personally. It wasn’t easy, as the Kings fell behind by 18 points early against a Dallas team missing stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
During a timeout, Christie told his players: “You’re getting close.” He referenced a Bob Marley lyric about taking a bucket to the well and not knowing when the bottom will fall out. After the Kings received two technical fouls in the second half, Christie reminded his players not to let the referees distract them from their gameplan.
The team responded well, finishing the third quarter with a 17-2 run, breaking their six-game losing streak, and giving Christie his first win as head coach.
“Are we going to still struggle from time to time?” Christie said. “Yes, but the good will needed to happen to show that a lot of things that we talk about — we’re able to do. Now, we need to do it with the consistency, the intensity and the violent aggression, in my opinion, that needs to be there to win games at this level.”
Domantas Sabonis, who had 17 points and 16 rebounds, said it was “really cool” to see Christie get his first win.
“We’ve spent three summers now with him,” Sabonis said. “He works his butt off and just to see him installing what he believes in the guys, and the guys reacting that quickly to it is awesome.”
Being an NBA head coach, even as an interim, still feels unreal to Christie. Before getting the promotion, he had been busy with assistant coaching and scouting. He planned to rest during the team’s weekend trip to Los Angeles but found himself coaching the game against the Lakers on very little sleep.
Christie’s goals as a coach are small steps: first simplifying the offense, then focusing on defense. The Kings allowed only 40 points in the second half against the Mavericks.
He wants the fans, who have seen 12 coaching changes since 2007 and only one playoff appearance, to know they are valued. Christie promised to give them a team they can be proud of, where players will give their best effort. From his players, he hopes for understanding and support.
“This is hard,” Christie said before the game. “This is high leverage, the best in the world. There are only a certain amount of people who do it, from my perspective and the players’ perspective. Whatever you say about the word ‘pressure,’ it’s there.”
Christie explained that his role is to put his players in a good position and then let them play. His success as a coach will depend partly on De’Aaron Fox, the team’s best player, who had earlier pushed back on reports that he was involved in Brown’s firing.
Christie had been an assistant with the Kings since 2021 and served as an interim head coach in 2022 when Brown was sick, winning two games. Monday’s win, however, was his first as a semi-permanent head coach, with the expectation that he’ll get the rest of the season to prove himself.
One area Christie wants to improve is the team’s performance in close games. The Kings are 6-13 in games decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes. Christie believes that being “clutch” depends on which team is willing to fight and sacrifice.
“When it comes to that point, what are you willing to do?” Christie said. “I know what I’m willing to do for you, and I’m going to support them in any way I can. Because it’ll always be my fault. It’ll never be their fault. They go do their job. I’m here to take the bullets.”
Christie emphasized that turning the season around will take time, and wins will come as a result of the process.
“It’s hard in this league,” Christie said. “Winning is difficult. So, totally understand that. I think they’re beginning to feel it, and that’s going to be the process that we have to go through on a night-to-night basis. I’m here for it, and I think that they’re ready to do it.”
