SAN FRANCISCO – Doug Christie is finally having his defining moment as an NBA coach. It came amid arguably the Kings’ most significant win of the 2024-25 NBA season.

After a three-game winning streak against teams missing their best player, the Kings arrived in San Francisco without their own star as De’Aaron Fox continues to recover from a serious foul he suffered two nights earlier against the Memphis Grizzlies .

It didn’t seem to matter at all.

Right from the start, the Kings were close to the Warriors, alternately scoring waves while keeping two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry from doing too much damage. Curry scored 26 points but only took 12 shots in nearly 30 minutes.

Sacramento also had one of its best all-around games. Eleven Kings players scored points, seven of them in double figures.

“We knew we just had to come out strong,” said guard Malik Monk, who had a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds and finished at plus-41. “Especially without Fox, we had to play together, move the ball and get everyone involved. We did a great job with that.”

It was the Kings’ second-largest victory over the Warriors in franchise history, a game at Chase Center that featured joyous Sacramento fans chanting “Light the Beam” in the fourth quarter.

Christie then beamed.

“They play hard, they play their hearts out, and like I tell them, when you do that at the end of the night, you can look at yourself in the mirror and be proud,” Christie said. “You’re not always going to win and you’re not always going to have winning streaks and things like that, but the only thing you can control is how you come out and how you attack. I thought they would continue to follow my expectations.”

It was as convincing a win as the Kings have had all season.

When the Warriors won their NBA championships behind Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, the Kings were considered the little brother.

At least for one night, little brother had the upper hand over big brother.

It started right away.

Sacramento has struggled with slow and sloppy first starts all season. That wasn’t a problem against Golden State.

The Kings outscored the Warriors 36-21 and forced eight turnovers in the first quarter, building a lead that was never really threatened.

“That’s something we struggle with, meeting people first,” Monk said. “We did that in the first quarter and that certainly set the tone.”

Seeing Christie nearly get into an altercation with Warriors coach Steve Kerr also helped set a certain tone. The two shouted insults at each other after Keon Ellis ran into a hard Green screen and fell to the ground.

Kerr appeared upset about a potential Ellis flop, while Christie came in to defend Ellis. Finally, Domantas Sabonis intervened and accompanied Christie back to the bench.

“I just always protect my player, that’s really all,” Christie said. “I have the greatest respect for every single player there. Having played in this league, I know what they have to go through watching them reach the highest level. So it’s nothing but love. The competitive nature of the game is the competitive nature.”

The Kings’ front office still has to deal with questions about the reasons for firing Brown, but collectively the players point to better communication.

“We embraced what DC was doing,” Monk said. “We all just bought into it and we all feel comfortable and confident in what he’s saying. He’s played before, so I think he can say it to us a little better than the people who have never played the game.”

Christie deflected any praise and instead praised his players for the turnaround.

“I think they play for each other,” Christie said. “I try to make it clear to them that this is how I think basketball should be played. This is a team sport and in a team sport there are teams that play one-man basketball or two-man basketball. I’m looking for five-man basketball.

“This is what this fantastic fan base and team has done for many years, what has led them to championships. They all play, the ball moves, the guys cut. There’s a joy in that, and I think that’s a small part of what you realize.”

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