In a surprising mid-season move, the Sacramento Kings have fired their head coach Mike Brown after an underwhelming start to the season. The Kings, currently sitting at 13-18 and facing a five-game losing streak, parted ways with Brown on Friday, amid mounting pressures for change.

The team's decision follows a devastating loss to the Detroit Pistons, where the Kings squandered a 10-point lead, ultimately falling 114-113. General manager Monte McNair described the decision as difficult, thanking Brown for his contributions since he took the helm in 2022.

Brown had achieved remarkable success during his tenure, including an historic NBA Coach of the Year award in 2022-23—a recognition he received unanimously. He also ended the Kings' notorious playoff drought, leading the team to a favorable 107-88 record over two seasons. Following his firing, Doug Christie has been appointed as the interim head coach.

The NBA community reacted strongly to Brown's dismissal. Notably, Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who was similarly ousted by the Kings in 2015, expressed his shock and disappointment. “No class, no balls. That’s what I’ll say about that," Malone stated regarding the manner of the firing. He further elaborated on the harsh realities faced by head coaches in the league, underscoring that, “Ultimately, you’re gonna get the blame.”

Reactions from other coaches included Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who called Brown “one of the standard bearers for integrity”, and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who expressed astonishment at the timing of the decision given the progress the Kings have made under Brown.

While Brown's career stats impress, including a cumulative record of 455-304 across various teams, his sudden departure raises questions about the stability of the Kings' organization under owner Vivek Ranadivé. Former coach George Karl hinted at ongoing issues, commenting, “Same owner. Same ways,” on social media.

The Kings are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, navigating the challenging transition of leadership.

For further details, read the full articles on CNN and HuffPost.