Monty Williams said his family recently received scary news.
His wife, Lisa, was diagnosed with breast cancer during the postseason. Williams considered taking time away from coaching when the Phoenix Suns fired him, but he took the Detroit Pistons’ job after they received good news on Lisa’s health.
“The reason I bring that up is to not talk about my family, but to make it more of an emphasis that women need early detection testing,” Williams said, per Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “We had testing and scan after scan, and that might’ve saved her life and it might save others.”
Williams: “The reason I bring that up is to not talk about my family, but to make it more of an emphasis that women need early detection testing. We had testing and scan after scan, and that might’ve saved her life and it might save others.”
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) June 13, 2023
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The Suns fired Williams after getting eliminated in the second round by the Denver Nuggets, who won the NBA title Monday night. He reportedly denied a “big-money offer” from Detroit last month.
His wife’s diagnosis caused his initial trepidation to take the job. Williams thanked Pistons general manager Troy Weaver and the team for their patience as he attended to more pressing matters.
The 51-year-old will replace Dwane Casey to lead a young Pistons roster that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2008. They have the No. 5 pick in this year’s NBA Draft following a 17-65 season.