Over the last two decades, the Sacramento Kings have had more than their share of missteps. But even in a long list of head-scratchers, the decision to part ways with head coach Mike Brown stands out as a particularly costly one. A quick comparison between where the Kings stood at the 44-game mark last season and where they are now tells a sobering story.
Let’s look at the numbers:
Last Season at Game 44:
- 23-21 record
- 7th in Offensive Rating
- 14th in Defensive Rating
- 11th in Net Rating
- 9th in the Western Conference
This Season at Game 44:
- 12-32 record
- 29th in Offensive Rating
- 27th in Defensive Rating
- 29th in Net Rating
- 14th in the Western Conference
That’s not just a drop-off - that’s a freefall. And it’s hard not to connect the dots back to Brown’s departure.
Mike Brown didn’t inherit a contender when he took over in Sacramento. He stepped into a franchise that hadn’t sniffed the playoffs in 16 years.
But he brought structure, accountability, and a clear identity to a team led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The results were immediate.
In his first season, the Kings didn’t just make the playoffs - they reignited a fan base that had been starved for relevance.
Yes, they were bounced in the first round by the Warriors, and yes, that series included the now-infamous stomp from Draymond Green on Sabonis. But the Kings were back in the postseason, and Brown’s efforts earned him another Coach of the Year nod.
The following year was tougher. The Western Conference was loaded, and Sacramento found themselves in the Play-In Tournament.
They took down Golden State in the first game - a statement win - before falling to the Pelicans, ending their season. Then came the slow start to 2024-25, and with it, Brown’s dismissal just 31 games into the year.
Since then, things have unraveled quickly.
Doug Christie stepped in as head coach, and while De’Aaron Fox was still running the show at point guard by Game 44, the cohesion, the energy, and the identity that Brown had instilled seemed to vanish. The Kings’ offensive and defensive numbers have cratered. Their net rating - which last year was hovering around the middle of the pack - now sits near the bottom of the league.
To put it plainly: the Kings look like a completely different team. And not in a good way.
Whether you believe Mike Brown was the engine behind the Kings’ resurgence or simply a steady hand guiding a talented roster, it’s undeniable that the team has regressed since his exit. The numbers don’t lie.
The energy doesn’t lie. And the standings certainly don’t lie.
Now, all eyes turn to general manager Scott Perry and his vision for the rebuild. Because if this is the direction Sacramento is heading, fans might be looking at another long wait before playoff basketball returns to Golden 1 Center. And after catching a glimpse of what could be under Brown, that’s a tough pill to swallow.