Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams was fined $15,000 on Tuesday for his public criticism of officiating after his team’s Game 4 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the league announced.

Following the 118-103 defeat on Sunday, the head coach did not hold back when discussing a lopsided 42-15 free-throw disparity in the Pelicans’ favor postgame.

“Coaches shouldn’t have to come up to the microphone and feel like they’re going to get their heads cut off for speaking the truth,” the Suns coach told reporters. “It was 17-to-2 (free throw difference) in the first half. And then they end up with 42.

“That’s hard to do in a game like that. And it’s not like we don’t attack the basket.”

On top of the free-throw disparity, Williams received a technical foul in the second half for arguing a loose ball. The coach said he saw multiple angles where he felt the call would go in the Suns’ favor, but the officials ultimately didn’t agree.

“They outplayed us, they deserved to win,” Williams said. “But that’s a free-throw disparity you have to look at.”

Over the first four games of the first-round playoff matchup, the Pelicans have held the advantage from the charity stripe, leading the Suns 119-81 in free throws.

The Suns and Pelicans head back to Phoenix tied 2-2. Game 5 tips off Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for all the action.

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