◤NBA playoffs◢ Phoenix Suns sacked Monty Williams following semi-finals exit due to humiliating loss to Denver Nuggets..

2023-05-14 17:22

◤NBA playoffs◢ Phoenix Suns sacked Monty Williams following semi-finals exit due to humiliating loss to Denver Nuggets..




The Athletic reported on Sunday evening local time, citing insider sources, that Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams has been sacked after the team's elimination following their Western Conference playoffs semi-finals' Game 6 defeat to the Denver Nuggets.


According to reports, although the Suns are not expected to win the championship this season, owner Matt Ishbia is very dissatisfied that the Suns could not to develop a great relationship between players and star player Kevin Durant, the sharp increase in the frequency of players getting injured and their weak defensive performances under Williams. Therefore, after several considerations, Ishbia decided to sack Williams after the team was eliminated.


Since reporters all thought that Ishbia would give Williams another chance to do better next season, and it was completely unexpected that he would fire the latter immediately, so candidates for the Suns' new head coach role are still unknown.


The 51-year-old Williams was born on October 8, 1971 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. He is 2.03 meters tall and 102 kilograms tall. He played as a small forward during his playing career.


Williams was selected by the New York Knicks with the 24th pick in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft, and has since also played for the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.


After retiring in 2003, Williams transitioned into a coach. He served as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans and also served as an assistant coach for Portland Trail Blazers and former club Philadelphia 76ers.


Williams was appointed as the Phoenix Suns head coach in May 2019. He was selected as the NBA Coach of the Year and the Coach of the All-Star last year.


The Suns were loss heavilty to the Denver Nuggets by 100-125 in Game 6 of the Western Conference playoffs semifinals and were eventually eliminated with a total aggregate score of 2-4.


Williams has achieved a record of 194 wins and 115 losses in the four seasons of coaching the Suns. This season, Williams has led the Suns to 45 wins and 37 losses in the NBA regular season, advancing to the playoffs as the fourth-placed team of the Western Conference.