Kings’ Doug Christie on job pressure: ‘I think this seat is hot, always’

November 14, 2026

Doug Christie understands what comes with a 1-11 start. The Kings coach also figures the pressure is part of the job, regardless of the record.

“I think this seat is hot, always,” Christie said after Friday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, via Logan Struck of Kings on SI. “Obviously, we want to win the games. Nobody wants to win more than me, from the standpoint that the record doesn’t go on players’ numbers. The record goes on coaches’ numbers.”

The Kings have lost five straight, with the latest defeat coming by 13 points. Christie’s record since taking over as full-time coach stands at 23-71, giving Sacramento plenty to evaluate beyond the first few weeks of this season.

Christie is counting on improved health to help the team find some footing.

“We come in and continue to teach, continue to push,” he said. “As we get all these guys back and get them healthy, then we continue down the path of trying to put together what we thought we would be putting together when we started this process.”

The Kings have dealt with injuries to Keegan Murray, Dylan Cardwell and Maxime Raynaud, along with Ben Simmons’ season-ending Achilles tear. That has complicated Christie’s efforts to establish a rotation and get the team moving in the right direction.

Still, the losses keep coming. General manager Scott Perry and the front office have to weigh those circumstances against what they’re seeing from the players available.

Rookie Darius Acuff Jr.’s development is another major consideration, as previously covered by Hoops Wire. Christie needs to show the Kings can make progress around their young guard while waiting for reinforcements.

At 1-11, even a little progress would be welcome.