Monty Williams has been fired by the Phoenix Suns after a disappointing end of the season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Monty Williams, the coach of the Suns, has been fired.
Williams spent four seasons with the Suns, winning NBA Coach of the Year twice and leading them to the NBA Finals in 2021.
The decision was made following another devastating Suns playoff defeat, this time at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs second round.
The Suns were behind 2-0 in the series, but they fought back and won games three and four at home to tie the game.
But after losing Game 5 and having a chance to force a Game 7, the Suns put out a mediocre performance in Game 6 and lost a must-win game at home for the second time in a row.
The team dismissed Williams on Saturday, two days after the Denver Nuggets eliminated them from the Western Conference semifinals.
Significant changes started earlier on Saturday when a number of Suns front office and scouting staff members were let go, which appears to be part of owner Mat Ishbia’s new strategy to develop fresh leadership and a potent team for the coming season.
Monty has been the head coach for four seasons, and in three of those, including a finals appearance in 2021, he led them to the playoffs.
Before that, from 2010 until 2015, he served as the New Orleans Hornets’ head coach.
The Suns had championship ambitions after a dramatic NBA trade deadline attempt to acquire Kevin Durant, but they fell short, and the coach took full responsibility for the loss.