PHOENIX SUNS

Monty Williams says officiating vs. Suns is not fair after loss to Lakers

Mar 22, 2023, 10:29 PM | Updated: Mar 23, 2023, 2:39 pm

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams sounded off during his press conference following a 122-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, saying his team does not get a fair shake from the officials.

Per azcentral’s Duane Rankin, Williams said he spoke with the NBA last week about a discrepancy the team has been vocal about recently before elaborating on Los Angeles’ 46-20 advantage in free throw attempts.

“I can sit here and rant and rave about what I feel like is not a fair whistle. It’s just not. … When do you see a game with 46 free throws? For one team? That’s just not right,” Williams said. “I don’t care how you slice it. It’s happening to us too much. Other teams are reaching, other teams are hitting and we’re not getting the same call and I’m tired of it. It’s old. … I’m over it.

“Been talking about the same thing for a while. Doesn’t matter what team it is. Last game, Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) gets 19 free throws. And it’s old. I’m tired of talking about free throws. Our guys have to do their job, we understand that, but that’s a huge disparity. Forty-six free throws. And I’ll say it again: 46 to 20. And that’s it. That’s all I gotta say.”

Since Williams arrived to the Valley in 2019, it’s only the second time he’s had a walk-off rant in a postgame press conference.

But it’s the second time in a matter of weeks that Williams complained about officiating.

On March 14, he criticized the Milwaukee Bucks’ 37-16 advantage over Phoenix and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s individual 24-16 lead in free throws attempted over the Suns.

He was upset with his team’s lack of consistency in the 2020-21 season after a defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder dropped the Suns to a record of 8-8. His group responded by finishing the regular season 43-13.

The Suns entered the game 28th in free throw rate and last in opposing free throw rate.

They are 26th in drives per game and last in the percentage of their shots that they take at the rim.

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant, Suns...

Kellan Olson

Kevin Durant joins rare 30K club, Suns lose to Grizzlies

Kevin Durant reached a historical accomplishment of 30,000 career points in the Suns' loss to the Grizzlies.

2 hours ago

Kevin Durant...

Damon Allred

Kevin Durant becomes 8th player to reach 30,000 career points

Kevin Durant reached 30,000 career points on Tuesday, making the Suns forward the eighth player to reach the milestone in NBA history.

5 hours ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Bol Bol gets the start at PF for Suns vs. Grizzlies

The Phoenix Suns gave Bol Bol the start at power forward against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday for his first start in his 60th game as a Sun.

7 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Rotation quibbles hang over Suns’ fight for postseason spot

The dueling forces for what direction the Phoenix Suns should go in the future are actively playing a role in their current season.

15 hours ago

The NBA All-Star game has a new format in 2025...

Associated Press

The big question going into NBA All-Star weekend: Will the new format work?

The league has for years pleaded with players to take the NBA All-Star Game more seriously. The latest solution is a radical one: a mini-tournament.

16 hours ago

Kevin Durant...

Alex Weiner

Suns’ Kevin Durant to return on Tuesday, Bradley Beal remains out

Kevin Durant will return to the Phoenix Suns' lineup on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies after a three-game absence.

1 day ago

Monty Williams says officiating vs. Suns is not fair after loss to Lakers