Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie celebrated his team’s resilience following Monday’s 117-112 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center.
Christie emphasized the role of the crowd, saying, “It says so much about the people of Sacramento…for our guys to play like that, it makes you happy and excited to see our fans be able to get that vibe.”
Christie singled out Keegan Murray for his all-around performance, noting, “He’s a special player…26 points, 15 rebounds, guarded their big man and their guard, and knocked down big shots…very Keeganesque.” He stressed Murray’s defensive versatility and contribution on both ends as key to the win.
The coach also reflected on the team’s fight after trailing by 12 with 8:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. “Defense creates offense…to see them do that consistently, that’s the sign you’re looking for,” Christie said, highlighting the team’s willingness to make second and third efforts on defense.
Christie praised the balanced scoring effort, noting that the Kings’ victory was not about individual accomplishments but teamwork. “DeMar comes up big, Russ comes back in the game, Malik comes up big…everyone contributed,” he said. The Kings had more than 80 combined points in the paint and at the free-throw line, with DeRozan and Murray perfect from the stripe.
Christie explained Sacramento’s approach in the paint, focusing on spacing and passing. “Once you touch the paint, you have to get off the basketball…then you start to generate offense,” he said, adding that their free-throw efficiency was critical in the closing minutes.
The coach also highlighted the flexibility of the front line, including Precious Achiuwa and Maxime Raynaud. “Precious continues to impress…Keegan guards everybody on the floor…willingness of a teammate to sacrifice himself,” Christie said, noting how defensive versatility helped the Kings control Minnesota’s offense.
Christie concluded by praising the city’s unwavering support. “They show up when their team is playing…there’s a synergy between this team and this city,” he said, calling the connection between players and fans a motivating factor as the Kings continue to build their identity.
Sacramento improved to 5-13 with the win, while Minnesota fell to 10-7. The Kings host Phoenix on Wednesday in an NBA Cup matchup, aiming to build on their back-to-back wins.
