The Fast Break | Best of August 8

The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with Mike Brown as head coach. Brown was in his third season with the Kings and was Coach of the Year in his first season back in 22-23. The Kings signed Brown to a multi-year extension during the 2024 offseason.

The Kings are struggling this season with a 13-18 record and the team is on a five-game losing streak after losing a 14-point fourth quarter lead on Thursday. De’Aaron Fox’s future with the Kings has also come under question amid the team’s struggles. Brown ran the Kings’ practice on Friday and spoke to the media. The firing came a few minutes before the Kings’ plane departed for Los Angeles.

The Kings returned to the playoffs in Brown’s first season with a 48-34 record. Sacramento lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs in seven games that season.

Last season, the Kings were in the play-in and beat the Warriors in their first game before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans for the final playoff berth.

Brown was hired by the Kings after a lengthy stint as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr with the Warriors. Brown was previously head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers two separate times as well as just over one season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Per a report from Mozzart Sport, Nikola Jokic will sit out of the upcoming FIBA World Cup. Jokic has chosen to rest, after the Denver Nuggets run to winning the NBA Finals.

The Serbian National Team is also expected to be without Vasilije Micic, as he’s expected to focus on his transition to the NBA. Nikola Kalinic, who plays for Barcelona, is also expected to skip the tournament.