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Sixers managing partner Josh Harris stops short of giving Brett Brown vote of confidence ahead of Sixers-Nets NBA playoff series

Harris had stated in the past that it would be problematic if the Sixers don’t do well in the postseason.

Coach Brett Brown of the Sixers argues with an official during their game against the Nets their NBA playoff game at the Wells Fargo Center on April 13, 2019.
Coach Brett Brown of the Sixers argues with an official during their game against the Nets their NBA playoff game at the Wells Fargo Center on April 13, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

Given an opportunity to endorse Brett Brown, 76ers managing partner Josh Harris was non-committal when asked about the embattled coach’s future before Saturday’s 111-102 loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of opening-round of the playoffs at Wells Fargo Center.

Harris had stated in the past that it would be problematic if the Sixers don’t do well in the postseason. So he was asked to clarify that statement, and if Brown would be his coach next season no matter what happens in the playoffs.

“What I meant by it is that all of us – Brett, [general manager] Elton [Brand], me, a lot of us, the players on the team,” Harris said of his past comments. “ We have high expectations. So that is what I meant.

“Look, we have a lot of confidence in Brett and are glad that he is leading us in the playoffs and we are focused on that.”

Lakers to interview Monty Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers have received permission to interview Sixers lead assistant coach Monty Williams for their vacant head-coaching position, a Sixers official confirmed. ESPN first reported the news.

Williams and former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue are the candidates to replace Luke Walton, who was fired on Friday.

Sixers general manager Elton Brand said on Saturday that he was sure teams would reach out about interviewing Williams. He added that it would be tough to say no to a head-coaching opportunity for Williams.

“We respect that, the chance to have more responsibility and be a head coach,” Brand said. “For anyone on our staff to have a deeper role, we will honor that. We don’t want dysfunction, we don’t want distractions, but it is what it is.”

Williams joined Brown’s coaching staff in June after spending two years in the San Antonio Spurs front office.

That comes after he spent the 2015-16 season as an assistant coach with the Thunder. He took an indefinite leave of absence after his wife, Ingrid, died in a car accident on Feb. 10, 2016. It was announced that he wouldn’t return to the team following the season.

Before going to OKC, he compiled a 173-221 record during five seasons as the Pelicans coach. Williams led New Orleans to two postseason appearances. Before that, Williams spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers. He also was an assistant coach for the U.S. men’s national team from 2013 to 2016.