Chris Paul couldn’t stay calm moments before clinching NBA Finals berth
Jul 2, 2021, 6:20 PM | Updated: 11:31 pm
Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns hugs Chris Paul #3 in the final seconds of the team's win against the LA Clippers during the second half in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The Suns advance to the NBA Finals.(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Moments before the Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to clinch a berth to the NBA Finals, point guard Chris Paul couldn’t contain his emotions with head coach Monty Williams.
Williams’ relationship with Paul dates back to their days with the New Orleans Hornets.
During his first head coaching stint, Williams coached Paul during the 2010-11 season, Paul’s last season with the Hornets.
The NBA released the mic'd up version of when Chris Paul and Monty Williams embraced at the end of Game 6. A strong, beautiful moment:
Monty: "Chris, you're going to the Finals."
CP3: "Coach, I'm trying to calm down, coach."
Monty: "You don't have to calm down."
CP3: "Coach!" pic.twitter.com/9PUOzQnJfD— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 2, 2021
“Chris, you’re going to the Finals,” Williams told the Suns point guard in the last seconds of Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
RELATED STORIES
“Coach, I’m trying to calm down, coach,” Paul uttered back to his head coach as the pair is now Finals bound for the first time in both of their respective careers.
The two then hugged it out and shared a moment together to reflect on the long journey they have endured as player and coach.
The Suns will await the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference Finals series.
Milwaukee defeated the Hawks in Game 5 123-112, without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hyperextended his left knee in Game 4.
The Bucks lead the series 3-2, Game 6 tips-off on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on TNT.
