Suns Coach Monty Williams: I Didn't Have Them Ready for Game 7
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There's not much you can say after that performance.
Yet Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams collected himself and tried his best following his team's 123-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7.
"I know they didn't want to play that way. We basically played the worst game of the season tonight," said Williams following the game.
The worst game of the season may be putting it nicely. The Suns trailed by as much as 46 points in Game 7, becoming just the second team in NBA history to win 64+ games and not reach the conference finals.
Rather, Luka Doncic and company move into the next series to take on the Golden State Warriors after dropping a memorable performance on the basketball court.
Doncic scored 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the victory. The Mavericks converted 48.7% (19-39) of shots from three-point land and out-rebounded the Suns for the first time all series.
There were times throughout their seven-game duel with the Mavericks where the Suns were the inferior team.
After Sunday night's drubbing, that now can't be questioned.
"That group has a lot of character and integrity. I know how bad they wanted it; we just could not execute tonight, couldn't make a shot early and that messed with us a little bit," Williams said on his current locker room.
"Dallas played their tails off from start to finish. But I talked to them about (how) all year long we've been hearing all the praises. Winning all the games and setting records and all that stuff. We've been taking it (the praise). Well tonight, you got to take it. That's a part of manhood. There are days where it doesn't go your way and you got to stand right there and show character and integrity and take it. That's life."
The Mavericks continued much of what brought them success throughout the series: tremendous ball movement to create open shots, finding matchups that are favorable for Doncic and shooting well from beyond the arc.
Dallas also adjusted well throughout the series, with coach Jason Kidd indeed earning his paycheck in that department.
The Mavericks were undoubtedly ready for Game 7. Williams says the Suns simply were not, and he shoulders that blame.
"So from my standpoint, I did not have us ready to play in a game seven. They played their tails off," said Williams. "That part, for me, is tough because I know how bad our guys wanted it. We just had a bad night."
The Suns picked quite the night to have a bad night. The offseason now begins with a plethora of question surrounding Phoenix, and Williams' overall coaching job in the playoffs will be a main topic of conversation for fans of the Suns.
Williams will be back for the 2022-23 season and has been a major reason the Suns have risen to the heights they have.
Now, however, Williams and the rest of the roster will take some time to reflect on what was once a magical season spoiled by a sour ending.
