Kings fire coach Mike Malone

The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Malone.

Per Yahoo Sports, After a season-plus of an uneasy partnership, the Sacramento Kings fired coach Michael Malone, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Malone was informed of the decision on Sunday night, in the wake of losing seven of nine games without ill star center DeMarcus Cousins.

Tyrone Corbin will take over as the interim coach, likely for the term of the regular season. Around the NBA, there's a strong belief that general manager Pete D'Alessandro will pursue ex-Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, but a high-ranking Kings source insisted Sunday night that it is unlikely a full-time replacement will be hired during the regular season.

Owner Vivek Ranadive has wanted the Kings to play a faster style of basketball, and D'Alessandro – who has worked with Don Nelson in Golden State and Karl in Denver – has sought a similar style. Ranadive has been a hands-on owner and expected the Kings to compete for the playoffs this season. After a 9-6 start, Cousins had been lost for nine games with viral meningitis but his absence couldn't save Malone.