It seems like Doug Christie has been through it all with the Sacramento Kings–but he hasn’t been through this.
From being the defensive anchor of the beloved early-2000s teams, to becoming a color commentator on TV, to hosting a talk show on this station, to joining an NBA coaching staff, to becoming head coach of the very team he spent his best days as a player.
There have been some notable, memorable highs during Christie’s nearly three-decade history with the Kings, but it’s hard to remember a low that felt this bleak.
As the final buzzer sounded on Thursday night and fans made their way to the Golden 1 Center exits, boos echoed throughout an arena that had recently been viewed as one of the best atmospheres in the NBA.
Of course, this is the kind of reaction that transpires from a frustrated fanbase that just witnessed a franchise-record-breaking 15th consecutive loss, doing so in the form of a 37-point drubbing at the hands of the Orlando Magic.
Sacramento hasn’t won a game since January 16th, owning the NBA’s worst record at 12-45 with 25 games remaining in the regular season. The NBA Draft Lottery is anything but kind to the team with the worst record (the past three lottery results have dropped the worst record to the fifth spot), but the Kings aren’t showing any signs of changing their ways.
As frustrated as the fanbase is with the current state of the Sacramento Kings, Christie has conveyed that he feels the same pain and frustration.
Although the first-year head coach has toned down his emotions and competitive demeanor during his pregame and postgame press conferences, his message remained the same after a record-setting loss: The fans deserve better.
“I’ve been here for the best and been here for the worst, so I know what both of them look like, and our fans deserve more, and we’ll get there,” Christie said following the loss. “It’s about as painful as it gets.”
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
When Christie took over as Kings head coach, he made it clear that he felt he had unfinished business with this organization.
Christie was one of the core members of the 2001-02 Sacramento Kings team that fell short — not without controversy, of course — of winning a championship, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, a wound that is still festering for those in the 916 area.
Christie’s wounds haven’t healed. He still has the fire and spirit that he wore on his sleeves when he donned a number 13 Kings jersey over 20 years ago.
Losing 15 games in a row hasn’t extinguished his flame. Being on pace to finish 17-65, which would tie the worst single-season record in the Sacramento era (1985-present), hasn’t diminished his spirit. The demons of past Kings teams keep him moving forward, striving for better days–or in Christie’s case, familiar days.
“The pain that I felt here was something that, you know, in my opinion, it can affect your life in many ways,” Christie said on Thursday night. “Knowing that you have the best team, and you don’t, you don’t get there.”
Better days will arrive for the Sacramento Kings, but it remains to be seen if Christie will be here to see them through.
Christie has one more guaranteed season on his contract (non-guaranteed for 2027-28), meaning next season could be a prove-it campaign for the former All-Defensive guard.
The rookie head coach isn’t blameless for how Sacramento got to this point, although most of that blame goes much higher than the coaching staff and current roster. Christie’s rotations have been questionable at times, as has his schematic approach and decision-making–but he’s also working with the worst-constructed roster in the league.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Sacramento Kings interim head coach Doug Christie and Malik Monk #0 react during a break in play at Golden 1 Center on March 27, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Kings have dealt with an onslaught of injuries to players like Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Zach LaVine, and the recently acquired De’Andre Hunter, leaving Christie to rely on first-year players like Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and Dylan Cardwell.
Focusing on the future and hoping for better days ahead is all the Kings can do right now. Getting a high draft pick and selecting a franchise cornerstone are almost necessities. Christie’s job may very well depend on those two things happening this summer.
Whether his exit takes place this summer, next season, or years from now, it feels almost unfair to lump this ugly losing streak in with Christie’s legacy in Sacramento.
Vlade Divac was beloved by Kings fans for decades, even having his number 21 jersey retired by the franchise. As soon as Divac was named general manager in 2015, it was evident that the fan perspective of Divac would never be the same. The 2018 NBA Draft confirmed that notion. Divac’s legacy has been altered by his mistakes and shortcomings as an executive.
So, how about Christie’s legacy? The book is still open.
Christie has the love and compassion for the city of Sacramento. He loves Kings fans like family. There aren’t many people who have lived and breathed Sacramento Kings basketball as long as Christie has. Nearly three decades of playing for or working around the organization will have that kind of effect.
There will be changes to this roster in the summer. It’s likely that a top-five draft pick will land in Sacramento, and maybe that means better days won’t be far behind. To be blunt, almost anything feels like it would be better than this.
Doug Christie knows. Doug Christie agrees. And it’s hard to imagine anyone else who wants to turn things around for the Sacramento Kings more than Christie himself.
The Kings are in a rough spot, but time will tell whether Christie will be the head coach roaming the sidelines when the lighting of Beams becomes a common occurrence again. If it’s up to him, he’ll be the one to see it through and get the Kings back to where they were two decades ago.
“A lot of that is definitely part of what drives me every day to get up, because I know what can happen here,” Christie said. “I know what it looks like, I know what it feels like.”
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When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will begin a five-game road trip on Saturday afternoon against old friend De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs.
Fox led all scorers with 28 points and 11 assists (two turnovers) during the Spurs’ win over the Kings back on November 16th.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown San Antonio.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
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