Former Knick loses wife in car accident

THE NBA community rallied around Monty Williams Wednesday after the former Pelicans coach lost his wife following a car accident in Oklahoma City.

Ingrid Williams, 44, was involved in a crash Tuesday night, just outside of downtown Oklahoma City and died from her injuries Wednesday evening. An oncoming car crossed the center line and hit her SUV, police Capt. Paco Balderrama told The Associated Press.

The driver of the car, Susannah Donaldson, had her dog on her lap while driving and was pronounced dead at the scene, Balderrrama said. An investigation is ongoing.

Three of Williams’ children were in the car with her at the time of the crash, The Oklahoman reported, and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Monty and Ingrid Williams were married in 1995 and have five children together — Lael, Faith, Janna, Elijah and Micah.

In 2010, when Williams was hired to coach the Pelicans and the couple was expecting Micah, Ingrid joked that she was the referee of the family.

“I tell people now we’ll have a team, ” she told the New Orleans Times-Picayune before Micah's birth in July, “five players. We have a coach. And I’m the referee.”

Williams, who coached the New Orleans Pelicans before being fired at the end of last season, is currently an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“The Thunder organization has heavy hearts tonight with the news of Ingrid's passing,” the team said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

There was an outpouring of support for Williams — who played in the NBA for nine seasons, breaking into the league with the Knicks, and has been well-traveled as a coach — from former players and colleagues.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis, who Williams coached for three seasons, said he was “Completely devastated” in a tweet.

“Ingrid Williams was like a 2nd mother to me when I got to NOLA. My thoughts & prayers are with Monty & the family,” Davis wrote.

Doris Burke, who was hosting the studio show during halftime of the Lakers-Cavaliers game on ESPN Wednesday night, was visibly shaken while delivering the news to viewers. Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who is close to Williams, choked back tears when he learned of Ingrid’s death. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who took over for Williams in New Orleans, was also emotional while discussing the situation.

“I love Coach Monty so much, man,” Kevin Durant said Thursday as he wiped tears from his eyes.