Billy Donovan, the first-year coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, was in attendance to support his lead assistant coach, Monty Williams, when Williams gave a moving eulogy at the funeral of his wife.

Donovan’s support of assistant coach Maurice Cheeks, who had major hip surgery last month, has also been unwavering.

View photos Billy Donovan coached 19 seasons at Florida. (AP) More

It’s been a season of challenges for Donovan as he faces the stretch run of his rookie season coaching the Thunder without his two top assistant coaches.

“It’s been hard, really hard,” Donovan told Yahoo Sports. “It’s been really hard on our players. It’s been really hard on our staff. Just the absence of those guys as people, what they are dealing with.

“You don’t ever want to see anyone in that kind of pain and suffering. Obviously, Mo’s is physical and I think he is doing better. But for someone like Monty, who has five children, it’s hard. It’s just hard.”

The Thunder hired Donovan on April 30 after 19 seasons as head coach at the University of Florida. The former New York Knicks guard coached the Gators to two national titles and four Final Fours while posting a record of 467-186.

While Donovan’s basketball résumé speaks for itself, what was missing was NBA coaching experience, which is why Williams and Cheeks, both former NBA head coaches, were hired June 29.

Williams posted a 173-221 record with two playoff appearances with the New Orleans Pelicans from 2010-15. Cheeks went 305-315 in nine seasons as coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons. He was also a Thunder assistant from 2009-13.

With Williams and Cheeks by his side, Donovan coached the Thunder to a 39-14 record after a win over the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 8. (The team has gone 3-5 since.)

But before the Thunder could enjoy the All-Star break, tragedy struck when Ingrid Williams was involved in a car accident on Feb. 9 after the driver of an SUV lost control of her vehicle and swerved into Williams’ lane.

Ingrid Williams, 44, passed away Feb. 10 from injuries suffered in the accident. Monty Williams has since taken an indefinite leave from the Thunder.

Donovan says he makes an attempt daily to text Williams and plans to visit him upon his return to Oklahoma City following the Thunder’s current road trip, which ends March 6. He said they talk very little about basketball.

“It’s hard for me personally because we developed such a close relationship and he’s such a great man,” Donovan said. “We share a lot of common values as it relates to our faith. But for him to go through what he is going through is just hard,” Donovan said.

Donovan’s job got even tougher when Cheeks underwent hip surgery Feb. 17 and was expected to miss six weeks. Cheeks plans to be back at practice when the team returns to Oklahoma City, but it is uncertain when he will return to the bench and travel.

View photos Billy Donovan has meshed well with Kevin Durant. (Getty) More

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