Doug Christie: Kings are continuing to find themselves

Jan 8, 2025, 6:38 PM | Updated: 6:40 pm

Sactown Sports writer

The Sacramento Kings have one loss and five consecutive wins since naming Doug Christie interim head coach nearly two weeks ago. DeMar DeRozan has come up clutch, rookie lottery pick Devin Carter is back in the rotation, and they’re hoping to have their full roster available for the first time this season in Boston on Friday.

Some of the games have come without Keegan Murray — who says he’s glad to be healthy again after dealing with ankle inflammation for most of December — but De’Aaron Fox has been the most recent absence. He suffered a tough fall at the end of their win over the Grizzlies, leaving him sidelined for two games with a glute contusion.

After Wednesday’s practice, he was seen getting plenty of post-practice work with assistant coach Luke Loucks, with the team set to fly to Boston that night.

With how the schedule lined up, giving Fox two games off allowed the guard to take a week-long break from game action. That never hurts.

Back to full strength on a five-game win streak, there’s a good energy around the team currently. Interim head coach Doug Christie, who played 15 seasons in the NBA, knows how things can change in the association.

“I’m smart enough to know that you’re going to have ups and downs,” he said Wednesday. “We’re not focused on the outcome. We’re focused on the process and the byproduct is normally a good outcome.”

Since Doug Christie was named interim, the Kings have the sixth-best offensive rating (118.4) and eighth-best defensive rating (110.4), equaling out to the fourth-best net rating (+7.9).

“More than anything, I think they just continue to find themselves,” he said. “They’re trusting each other. They’re playing for each other at a high level. They’re not really worried about their mistakes. I try to let them know it’s a game of mistakes and whoever makes the least amount usually puts themselves in the best position to win and they just keep on playing. Don’t look at me, don’t wave at me, just play the game. I trust you. You guys trust each other. When you have that, you give yourself a chance.”

It’s a bit more forgiving message than Mike Brown portrayed earlier in the season, but the difference is the tone, not the messaging.

Christie emphasizes the same aspects of the game that Brown did, but there’s been an undeniable energy change in the organization. Sometimes, a change is necessary, but wining truly fixes everything.

With five straight under their belt, this upcoming three-game road trip (Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee) should reveal their growth to this point.

More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports

Sacramento Kings are riding a five-game win streak under interim head coach Doug Christie. How much of it has to do with the change, and have they done anything to convince you that the change is real?

Brenden Nunes, Frankie Cartoscelli, and Chris Watkins spend the latest Return of the Roar episode talking about all they’ve noticed with the Sacramento Kings over their recent stretch.

How much of it has to do with the change from Mike Brown to Doug Christie a little over a week and a half ago?

One of the apparent differences is the number of minutes that two-way guard Keon Ellis has been playing. The trio dove into his recent impact and discussed his postgame comments on Doug Christie giving him a longer leash.

Now that they’re climbing back near .500 this season, how has our faith in this group changed? Do Monte McNair, Wes Wilcox, and the rest of Sacramento’s front office still need to make a move? You probably know our answer.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will leave the state of California for the first time since December 12th as they embark on a three-game road trip that begins with a matchup against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics on Friday afternoon.

The Kings have lost six straight games against the Celtics and haven’t won a game at TD Garden since March 19, 2021.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Celtics drama right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on Game Night before action tips off at 4:00 PM PT from downtown Boston.