While the Phoenix Suns earned a hard-fought series victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, it wasn't all smiles for the entire squad.

Emotions were high and tears were flowing on the court after the Suns' 115-109 win in Game 6 on Thursday night. Pelicans coach Willie Green spent the previous two seasons on the Suns' bench, serving as the assistant for Monty Williams. Fresh off the Suns' Western Conference title last season, the Pelicans hired Green over the summer.

Green has been widely praised for his job in his maiden stint with the Pelicans, leading them to a competitive six-game series with the top-seeded Suns.

After the win, Williams admitted that he didn't enjoy going against his former deputy with the Suns.

“We're all family,” Williams said. “I know what (Green) brought to the table for our program and you saw it this year with his program. I had a lot of conversations with him earlier in the season when things weren't going well, and Willie Green is one of the more steady people that I've ever been around.”

Williams was as impressed as anyone with Green's first stint with the Pelicans.

“He was consistent and stable and strong through it all and it's one of the reasons why they continue to get better,” Williams added. “I just know that feeling. I know what it's like. To see him in that place, that's a tough spot for all of us because at the end of the day we're all friends, we're all brothers. And after we're done coaching, we're going to be that way.”

Green was teammates with Suns star Chris Paul on two separate occasions, with the then-New Orleans Hornets and also with the Los Angeles Clippers. CP3, who had a masterful Game 6, also shared an emotional hug with his former teammate after the game.

“I don't think people ever really understand our relationship,” Paul said. “I'm not in Phoenix if not for Willie. He's the first person that ever even knew about me even having a thought of coming to Phoenix, you know what I'm saying? He's a coach, but that's my teammate and my brother first and foremost.”