The Kings overtake the Mavs and give Doug Christie his first win as interim coach

Christie’s initial goals are gradual: simplifying the offense in the first game, followed by the defense in the second game. The Kings held the Mavericks to just 40 points in the second half.

“When they cross those lines, it’s always us versus them, and it’s always us.”

Coach Christie on the attitude he wants to instill in the squad every game. pic.twitter.com/wdnd5xqaeF

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 31, 2024

He wants the fans, who have weathered 12 coaching changes with just one playoff appearance since 2007, to know that they are valued, that they bring a product to the floor that makes them proud, and that they are the players who are have given, fingers crossed you can do anything. He hopes for both understanding and love from his players.

“It’s hard,” Christie said before the game. “This is high leverage, the best in the world. From my perspective and from the players’ perspective, there are only so many people who do that. Whatever you say about the word “pressure,” it’s there.”

Christie said his job is to let his players play after putting them in a position to succeed. Whether he will be successful as a coach will depend in part on his best player, De’Aaron Fox pushed back earlier on Monday about reports that he was involved in Brown’s firing.

Christie, who has been an assistant with the Kings since 2021, won two games as interim head coach in 2022 when Brown was ill. But Monday’s win was his first on a semi-permanent basis, with the expectation that he will have the rest of the season to prove himself as a head coach.

One of the aspects Christie wants to improve is the team’s record in close competitions. The Kings are 6-13 in games that are within five points in the final five minutes. He said it comes down to which team is willing to get on the floor and “sacrifice themselves in a way that will hurt.”

“What are you willing to do when the time comes?” Christie said. “I know what I am willing to do for you and I will support you in any way I can. Because it will always be my fault. It will never be her fault. They are doing their job. I’m here to take the bullets.”

Christie said that in order to continue to build on the win, it is important to understand that turning the season around is a process and wins are a byproduct.

“It’s hard in this league,” Christie said. “Winning is difficult. So I totally understand that. I think they’re starting to feel it and that’s going to be the process we have to go through every night. I’m here for it and I think they’re ready for it.”