The Sacramento Kings promoted associate head coach Alvin Gentry to interim head coach after firing coach Luke Walton on Sunday, the team announced.
"After a thorough evaluation of the season thus far, I decided to make a change to the head coach position," Kings general manager Monte McNair said in a statement. "I want to thank Luke for his efforts and contributions to our team."
The Kings have lost seven of eight games and dropped to 6-11 on season -- leaving them 12th in the Western Conference. Several recent losses came against struggling teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.