Kings coach Doug Christie walked out of his pregame press conference without taking questions after delivering a fiery opening statement before Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
“I think everybody in here knows me,” Christie said. “If you don’t, my name is Douglas Dale Christie. I’m the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Change is hard, y’all. It’s hard, but understand, and we understand, that we’re not there yet, but we’re about to work at it like crazy.
“We totally get that, and it will be bumpy. It will, because change is like that, but buckle up. For the real ones, buckle up. And for all the rest of you, you know who you are, and you know how I feel about that.”
Christie’s remarks came amid growing frustration in Sacramento, where the Kings have struggled against the NBA’s most difficult schedule with Keegan Murray recovering from thumb surgery and other players floating in and out of the lineup. The Kings have lost seven of their first 10 games, including back-to-back blowout losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves during their current five-game homestand.
“We’re going to work every damn day to get it right, so when I see the hate, the haters, the fakers, all you guys, you keep that energy,” Christie said. “That’s good. You keep that, and you know who you are, because while you’re doing that, we’re going to be working. And while you’re doing that, we’re going to be growing. And while you’re doing that, eventually we’re going to be coming. The Kings show. Sac proud. Know that.”
The Kings are searching for a way forward with an aging, imbalanced and expensive roster after missing the playoffs the past two seasons.
Scott Perry was hired to replace former general manager Monte McNair following a play-in loss to the Dallas Mavericks last season. Perry then hired Christie, who went 27-24 as interim coach last season after Mike Brown was fired in December.
“We, and I say we as an organization, make no mistake, we are aligned in what we’re doing,” Christie said. “We are aligned in what we’re doing. I’ve said this before. You heard me, and I’m going to say it again.
“We’re going to play to a standard. Tough, competitive, disciplined, professional, team oriented and accountable. That’s what we’re going to play to, so when you look out there, everybody in this organization is held to that. Now, as an identity, that’s defend, rebound and share the damn basketball. That’s what we’re going to do every single time we hit the floor.”
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM.
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