Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams was surprised at practice by his family gifting him the Coach of the Year award on Monday. The team broke out in cheer and jubilation for their coach as he was handed the award for the first time in his career.
A memory ingrained in history.
Monty Williams’ family surprised him with his NBA Coach of the Year trophy. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/d7cm01KzWs
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 9, 2022
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“I am just grateful that you guys allow me and the coaching staff to coach you guys the way we do,” Williams told the team. “The connection we have and the family atmosphere is what makes this all work. Having my family be apart of this, this is so stinking cool.”
“I love you guys, I appreciate it, but this is us, this is us,” Williams said holding the trophy up in the air.
Williams received 458 points (81 first-place votes) from a 100 different sportswriters and broadcasters. Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins finished in second place with 270 points (17 first-place votes).
Williams finished second in 2021’s voting behind New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau by a slim margin. He is the two-time reigning National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, as well.
Williams led the 64-18 Suns to the best record in the NBA and franchise record in wins in a season.
This is the first NBA Coach of the Year Award for Monty Williams, who joins Cotton Fitzsimmons (1988-89) and Mike D’Antoni (2004-05) as head coaches to earn the honor with the Phoenix Suns.
Voting results
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— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 9, 2022
The Suns and Mavericks are back in action Tuesday night at 7 p.m. from Footprint Center.
Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for the action.