Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie promised his team would open its statement in an opening statement released by phone before Tuesday night’s home loss.
“I think everybody here knows me,” Christie said. “If you don’t, my name is Douglas Dale Christie. I’m the coach of the Sacramento Kings. Change is hard
“We totally get that, and it’s going to be bumpy. It’s going to be, because change is like that, but y’all, you know how I feel about that.”
Home coach Doug Christie calls out the haters
Christie’s comments came amid trade rumors and growing frustration in Sacramento, where the Kings battled over Keegan Murray undergoing thumb surgery.
Bringing back Gersell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder against Denver has sparked controversy. The Nuggets went on a 16-2 run after taking on Christie’s poor coaching decision.
The Kings have lost their first 8 games, including more losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Nuggets during their current five-game streak.
Doug Christie had a statement tonight and didn’t take questions: pic.twitter.com/pjhth1rhgd
– James Ham (@James_hamnba) November 12, 2025
“We’re going to work every day to get it right, so when I see the hate, the haters, the lovers, all of you people, 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 work.
“And while you do that, we will grow. And while you do that, we will finally arrive. Kings show. Proud.”
Sacramento has missed the playoffs the past two seasons
The Kings have missed the playoffs the past two seasons since ending their 16-year drought in 2023. Spell Perry was hired to replace Meneriic in the Dallas Maverick’s loss last season.
Perry then hired Christie, who went 27-24 as interim coach after Mike Brown was fired in December 2024. Brown was 107-858) in 2½.
Most importantly, Brown had a winning record in both of his full seasons. Rick Adelman is the only coach to post a winning record in a full season since the Kings moved to Sacramento.
Christie, who played for Sacramento in the early 2000s, is in his first full season as a coach.
“We, and we say that as a problem, make no mistake, we are aligned with what we do,” said Christie. “We’re aligned with what we’re doing. I’ve said this before. You heard me, and I’ll hear you again. We’re going to play again. We’re going to play to a draw.
“That’s what we’re going to play for, so if you look there, everyone in this organization is committed to that. Now, that’s what we’re going to defend, we’re going to share all the time.”
The Kings host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
