To say that this season has not gone the Sacramento Kings‘ way so far would be an incredible understatement. The team currently sits 11-17 on the year, and while they currently qualify for the play-in game, the eye test shows that this team is about as far from contending as possible.
The team also already fired their Head Coach, Luke Walton, after a slow 6-11 start, including a 1-7 slump at the end of Walton’s tenure. Walton was replaced by his lead assistant Alvin Gentry who has done a better job as the Kings have been nearly respectable 5-6 under Gentry.
Under Gentry’s coaching, the Kings haven’t been perfect, but they’ve been better. However, the Kings will not be under Genty’s coaching after the recent news to hit Sacramento:
Sacramento Kings’ Head Coach Alvin Gentry has tested positive for COVID-19.
Add Kings’ Head Coach Alvin Gentry to the ever-growing list of players and coaches in the NBA who have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The news is unpleasant, but according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Alvin Gentry is “largely asymptomatic,” save for a bit of a scratchy throat. Certainly good news; however, the team will continue to be without Gentry until he tests negatively two times in a 24-hour timeframe.
The King’s are currently on a three-game losing streak, so the timing is less than ideal, but the important thing is that Gentry is doing well. Hopefully, he will return to the King’s sideline sooner rather than later.
In his place, Doug Christie will serve as acting Head Coach tonight against Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards per The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Perhaps even Christie will continue to do so until Gentry’s eventual return.
Many were curious to see if Christie could become the interim Head Coach when Luke Walton was let go. Obvious Gentry took the position, but this will give King’s fans the opportunity to see if they have their coach of the future.