Phoenix Suns Fire Coach Monty Williams After Western Conference Semifinals Loss

BERLIN, 14 (dpa/EP)

The Phoenix Suns dismissed Monty Williams as the team’s coach this morning two days after his elimination against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

“I take it personally not to have our team ready to play in the biggest game of the year. It just didn’t happen. I have to take a hard look at everything I’m doing,” Williams said after the loss.

Williams just completed his fourth season as Phoenix coach, finishing his tenure in charge of the team with a 194-115 record, including a trip to the 2021 NBA Finals, which the Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.

He was named the 2022 NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Suns to a 64-18 league record. The second straight home loss in an elimination game was probably the biggest factor in Phoenix’s decision.

Last season, the Suns lost 123-90 to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the conference finals and were steamrolled by the Nuggets (125-100) in Game 6 again on Thursday. Phoenix trailed by 30 at halftime in both games.