The Sacramento Kings fired head coach Mike Brown in the midst of early season struggles

CNN
—

In the midst of early season struggles, the Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Mike Brown, the team announced on Friday.

The Kings, currently 13-18 on the season and in the midst of a five-game losing streak, let Brown go midway through his third season on the job.

Despite this season’s difficulties, the 54-year-old has had his fair share of success at the helm of Sactown.

Brown was awarded NBA Coach of the Year for the second time in his career in his first season with the Kings in 2022-23 after helping Sacramento snap the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons.

“This was a difficult decision and I want to thank Mike for his many contributions to the organization,” Kings general manager Monte McNair said in a statement Friday.

Doug Christie has been named the team’s interim head coach.

The kings have had several tough losses this season included a narrow defeat on Thursday evening.

Sacramento lost to the Detroit Pistons 114-113 at the Golden1 Center after leading by 10 points with less than three minutes remaining.

Detroit battled back, culminating in Jaden Ivey converting one game-winning four-point play with 3 seconds left after being fouled by Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.

Brown was seen at team practice and held a media session with reporters earlier Friday.

“When you go through adverse times, you know who’s really there for you,” Brown told reporters of the team’s struggles. “People are quick to jump off the wagon and the support – wherever it comes from – may not always be there.

“But that is part of what I have to deal with. Not just for myself, but to keep everyone together. … And I’m okay with anyone who criticizes me. Because again, I get paid to do it.”

The Kings are currently in 12th place in the Western Conference.

Brown had a 107-88 record in regular season play over two years in the California capital.

Many coaches around the league showed their support for Brown, including Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez, who coached under Brown in Sacramento the past few seasons.

“He’s very good at what he does. In my opinion, he’s one of the best,” Fernandez told reporters ahead of the Nets’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. “I wouldn’t be here without him. It’s clear to me that this is really sad news and I don’t like it. But that’s part of the business.”

The firing also drew the ire of Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone. Malone was fired by the Kings during the 2014-2015 season.

“I’m not surprised Mike Brown got fired because I got fired by the same person,” Malone said. “… No class, no balls. That’s what I want to say about it.”

Previously, Brown coached the Cleveland Cavaliers twice and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has a career record of 455-304 and has reached the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons as a head coach. He has also won four NBA championships, including three while an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.

The Kings will next play Saturday in Los Angeles against LeBron James and the Lakers.