MY ACCOUNT
Monty Williams was still looking at the bigger picture after the Golden State Warriors ended the Phoenix Suns’ long winning run at Chase Center on Friday.
The 118-96 loss snapped the Suns’ 18-game winning streak and saw the Warriors return to top spot in the Western Conference with a 19-3 record.
Phoenix beat Golden State 104-96 on Tuesday, but were unable to pull off a repeat three days later, as they were left in second spot on 19-4.
Suns head coach Williams insisted on looking at the bright side and praised his players for the focus they have shown since losing three of their first four games of the season.
“I’m too in it to reflect on it properly,” Williams told reporters when asked about the streak ending. “I think every win is special. To me, it was the collective focus that we’ve had throughout this season, not just the streak. It’s only been 23 games, right? So there’s a lot of basketball to be played.
“When we were 1-3 there was no panic, or ‘what are we doing?’ We just kinda hung in there and simplified some things and played good basketball.
“We arguably played the best team in the league tonight, them or us. We’re not quite sure who it is but it’s good to be in that category.
“Just the focus and the programme growing, that’s what I’ll remember.”
The Suns were down 51-48 at half-time, but could not build on a strong second quarter and fell away to eventually lose by 22 points, with Deandre Ayton top scoring for the visitors with 23.
Williams said: “I thought they did a good job of speeding us up. We did that to them the other day. That’s part of the chess match.
“It was physical. I thought they won that battle tonight. It was just one of those tough games.
“We learned a ton. Both teams about even in turnovers. It was just a slugfest.”
