St. Jean Fired as Coach of Fading Kings

Garry St. Jean was fired Thursday as coach of the Sacramento Kings, a team mired in a seven-game losing streak and fading from the NBA playoff picture.

The Kings picked assistant Eddie Jordan to replace St. Jean, who was in his fifth season. Hall of Famer and former Princeton coach Pete Carril will remain an assistant.

“It’s never an easy decision,” said Geoff Petrie, King vice president for operations. “It’s certainly not an easy decision for me or [King owner] Jim Thomas as far as deciding whether you are going to continue with somebody as your coach or not.”

St. Jean, 46, was hired in May 1992, and didn’t have a winning season. His best years were 1994-95 and 1995-96, when the Kings were 39-43 in the regular season.

St. Jean’s career record with the Kings was 159-236.

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Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning’s recovery from a foot injury is progressing ahead of schedule and he could return to the lineup next week.

Mourning has been on the injured list since March 2 because of a torn tendon in his right foot, suffered Feb. 22 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Mourning, originally expected to be out about six weeks, returned to practice Wednesday. Heat Coach Pat Riley called Mourning’s workout “very encouraging” and “very positive.”