Monty Williams took sole ownership for Thursday’s upset loss to Minnesota.

Twenty-four hours later, he had enough with the officiating.

The competitive, yet often composed head coach of the Phoenix Suns was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls in the first half of Friday’s rematch against the Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns Arena.

Suns (27-13) proceeded to win, 113-101, over T-Wolves (10-32) in the second of a back-to-back Friday before 3,124 fans, but not before Williams made an early exit for the first time as their head coach. 

With 7:17 left in the first half, Williams called a timeout as the Suns led by a point, 43-42, after a transition dunk by T-Wolves rookie Jaden McDaniels.

Frustrated with what he felt like was a missed call on the other end, Williams addressed referee Scott Twardoski, who handed him the first technical foul, which was not only the first for Williams this season, but the first as head coach of the Suns.

Williams became Suns head coach before the 2019-20 season after being a head coach in New Orleans for five seasons (2010-15).

Then after walking back to the coaches’ huddle on the court, Williams turned around and started approaching Twardoski, who gave him the second tech and ejected him as assistant Willie Green was in pursuit trying to stop Williams.

Green, who took Williams’ place, walked his head coach away from the situation.

Williams had words for a second referee as he was leaving the court area with Suns director of security, Max Cayard, behind him.

Head referee Kane Fitzgerald explained after the game the two technical fouls.

Tech one: “During the timeout Monty came out to complain about the officiating and received a warning. He continued to complain after the warning and that’s when he received the technical foul.”  

Tech two: “After walking away it looks like he decided to continue to complain again and kind of came after the official at center court and that was enough to get ejected with his second technical foul.”

The Suns closed the half on a 21-12 run in taking a 64-54 halftime lead.

Then with 8:24 left in the third quarter, Suns All-Star Devin Booker received his ninth technical foul of the season. A total of 16 leads to a one-game suspension.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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