Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry out with COVID-19; Doug Christie acting as head coach
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be on the bench when his team faces the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center.
Gentry, 67, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski he tested positive for the virus and would not be available to coach the Kings when they open a three-game homestand against the Wizards. Gentry said he is “largely asymptomatic, except for a scratchy throat.” He will have to produce two negative tests over a span of at least 24 hours before he can return to the bench.
The Kings would not confirm Gentry has contracted the virus, but they said they have canceled their morning shootaround as they prepare to play the Wizards on Wednesday. A source told The Sacramento Bee an acting head coach will be named after the Kings undergo additional testing to determine if there are more positive tests. Assistant coaches Mike Longabardi and Doug Christie were considered the most likely candidates.
A source later told The Bee that Christie would serve as acting head coach against the Wizards, confirming a report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Christie, 51, left his television and radio broadcasting jobs to join the coaching staff in Sacramento in August.
Christie played for seven teams over 14 seasons in the NBA. He had some of his best years with the Kings from 2000-05, helping Sacramento reach the playoffs in each of his five seasons, including a memorable run to the Western Conference finals in 2002. Christie was an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in 2003 and an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Gentry came to Sacramento to join former coach Luke Walton’s staff as associate head coach in October 2020, after spending five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Kings general manager Monte McNair named Gentry interim head coach after firing Walton on Nov. 21. The Kings are 5-6 since Gentry took over.
Gentry is a veteran coach who started in the NBA as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs in 1988. He has a 515-601 (.461) record over 18 seasons as a head coach with the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Pelicans and Kings.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 9:15 AM.
