Less practice, more winning? Kings talk coach Doug Christie’s new regimen as streak grows
The good times are rolling for the Sacramento Kings, who blared loud music from a victorious locker room for the sixth straight game Friday night.
This win, coming over the defending champion Boston Celtics at TD Garden with De’Aaron Fox sidelined, was particularly special to Keegan Murray, who said it was his favorite regular season win since he came into the NBA — and in the conversation with Sacramento’s Game 6 win over the Golden State Warriors on the road during the 2023 playoffs.
“I think the whole time it felt like we were in control, in a way, from start to finish,” Murray said after being given the crown for defensive player of the game. “They’re a very good team and we’re down a guy, probably our best player. And I think just collectively, everything that we’ve been through in December to now, has just been a 360.”
The most striking part of the Kings’ turnaround — riding a six-game winning streak immediately after their six-game losing streak through the end of December — has been how fast it happened after the change from head coach Mike Brown, fired Dec. 27, to interim coach Doug Christie. The Kings are 6-1 since Christie took over, losing only his first game in the role, and 3-0 while Fox has nursed a bruise in his right glute after a hard fall on a dunk attempt against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The energy surrounding the team has been palpable both on the court and behind the scenes while Christie has instilled a belief in the team that has helped flip the script on a season that seemed to be on the brink.
“I think that (the players) begin to believe in themselves, and that goes past coaching,” Christie said after the Kings’ 114-97 win over the Celtics, which improved Sacramento’s record to 19-19. “Now it’s something that they own, and when they walk on to the court, when they are in any arena, they believe that they have an opportunity to win.”
‘Save your legs’
Christie has taken his foot off the gas when it comes to the practice schedule. Brown was notorious for practicing as often as the NBA schedule allows, even after long flights on the road to get players to shake the cobwebs from travel.
The Kings’ current road trip is their first under Christie, not including their 30-point road win at Golden State, and it remains to be seen if he’ll hold practices after flights. But in the meantime, players have said the practice schedule is far less rigorous, which has paid off during the hot streak.
Malik Monk, before he scored 22 points in the win over the Celtics, said he loves the lighter practice routine.
“We’re not doing nothing. Save your legs,” Monk said. “Go in there and get done in an hour, instead of standing up for two hours, doing a lot.”
The Kings are still watching film, scouting opponents and walking through game plans on the court during practice, but they are scrimmaging far less, if at all, Kevin Huerter said.
“Talking to some of the guys who play heavier minutes, they definitely feel more fresh to start games,” Huerter said. “I think even mentally, just the grind of the season, we’re already in January, and you get to this point in the season, you play a lot of games. As much as it’s a physical grind, it’s a mental grind. Being halfway there and needing every win, in some ways we pump the brakes a little bit, but still trusting us to get our work in. It’s been well received.”
Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Murray entered Friday in the top 16 among all players in minutes played this season. The Kings hadn’t played since their double-overtime win over the Miami Heat on Monday, leaving three days between games, which likely would have meant at least one rigorous practice with Brown at the helm.
Sacramento definitely entered as the fresher team Friday. The Celtics were coming off a four-game road trip over six nights against Western Conference teams. The Kings out-rebounded Boston 56-43 and had the edge in second chance points (13-8) steals (11-5), and fast break points (17-7).
Sabonis finished with a career-high 28 rebounds to go with 23 points. It was the 10th 20-20 game of his career.
“Of course,” Sabonis said, “if you can rest, you’re going to be more fresh for games.”
Christie noted the Kings teams he played on were also known for their fast pace, which is why he has the current team focused more on regenerating physically.
“I have to understand ... even when I was with the Kings, we played a similar style, like super fast, we’re getting at it,” Christie said. “So when you play that style, you as coach, I have to be cognizant of how to approach practice and making sure that they’re getting what they need.
“So it just kind of varies, to be honest with you. I just try to observe, keep my ear to the street, and try to get a good feel for who they are and what they need more than anything, and get myself out of the way.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM.
