Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie emphasized the team’s competitiveness despite a 111-107 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday at the Kia Center.
“The competitiveness first and foremost—that’s what I told him,” Christie said. “I mean it’s hard that they made 28 free throws. That’s a huge number. We got to play defense without fouling first and foremost. That is a big-time key.”
Christie highlighted a few unlucky moments late in the game. “A couple bad bounces at the end, like the heave—you think that’s not going to hit the rim and it probably touches. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way,” he added. He praised the approach and mindset of his players, noting, “Close isn’t good enough, but I like the approach to the game, the mindset prior to the game, and the attention to detail when we come to the gym.”
Daeqwon Plowden received significant praise from Christie for his development. “We’ve seen Daeqwon step up big in the fourth,” Christie said. “Ever since I saw him in the summertime, I pulled him aside and said, ‘Listen, you belong here. Not in this league—you belong here.’ He had to believe that.” Christie detailed Plowden’s progression through summer league and the G League, emphasizing his defensive presence. “I like the defense. I like the gravity. Like he wasn’t making shots early, but he took all shots that came his way, which told me he ain’t scared of the moment.”
Christie also spoke about Plowden’s increasing role in ball-handling and playmaking. “He’s continuing handling the ball out of necessity and putting it on the deck to create for others. Defense is his calling card. That’s what makes me love him,” he said. He noted Plowden’s offensive contributions: “He can shoot the ball too. If we get him out there and get him comfortable, I believe he’ll be productive.”
On the challenge of Paolo Banchero’s hot streak, Christie remarked, “You got to give them credit. They went to Paolo and he answered. He got fouled… if he’s getting to the free throw line, it’s going to be a long night.” He added that key shots by other Magic players also swung momentum. “Some guys made threes they hadn’t been making at a high clip, but tonight they made them,” Christie said.
Christie discussed DeMar DeRozan’s performance and his preparation during the offseason. “I got to work with him in the summertime. All that you see—that’s what he does. He doesn’t shoot the same shot twice. The footwork is impeccable. The pump fake freezes them. It’s an art form,” he said. Christie emphasized DeRozan’s basketball IQ and ability to involve teammates. “He calculates early, reads the defense, and hits his teammates in spots. That’s why he had 11 assists.”
Despite the loss, Christie remained focused on player growth and team resilience. “The competitiveness was at a very high level. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, but the mindset, the attention to detail, and the approach to the game were really good,” he said. Sacramento falls to 19-55 and will face Atlanta on Saturday, while Orlando improves to 39-34 and visits Toronto on Sunday.