PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns may be regrouping after a tough Game 4 loss, but there's still something to celebrate Monday.
Head Coach Monty Williams is expected to be named the 2021-2022 NBA Coach of the Year, 12 Sports has learned. 12 Sports received news from sources confirming the announcement.
An official announcement from the league is expected later Monday afternoon.
The Phoenix Suns coach led the team to the NBA's best record this season and won a franchise record of 64 games. With a resume like that, Williams was an obvious choice to earn the honor.
Williams was already voted by his peers as the NBCA Coach of the year this season. It was his second win of the award.
Team 12's Cameron Cox shared what the mood of the team was like as the news of the award broke.
It's quite the accomplishment for Williams and the Suns, but the celebration will certainly be short-lived, as the team preps for Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
