Williams registered 20 points (9-12 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and four steals in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 114-113 loss to the Grizzlies.
Williams supplanted Oso Ighodaro in the starting lineup and transformed Phoenix's interior game in the process. Williams excelled in the role he seemed destined to acquire, and the move should be a permanent one. Nick Richards was already behind Ighodaro, and the former is now at the bottom of the depth chart at the position.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Making first start as Sun
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Williams is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies, Shane Young of Forbes.com reports.
Williams will make his first start of the 2025-26 season after coming off the bench in his first three games of the campaign. The center has been ramping up after he missed the entire preseason due to injury. He played 31 minutes in his most recent game, logging 25 points and 11 rebounds. Oso Ighodaro will retreat to the bench.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Season-best performance
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Williams closed with 25 points (9-14 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes during Monday's 138-134 overtime loss to Utah.
Williams had easily his best game of the season, recording a double-double, despite still being a reserve behind Oso Ighodaro. It's been a slow ramp-up for Williams, having played in three of the four games, coming off the bench in all three. However, given he logged 31 minutes in this one, all signs point to him entering the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Off injury report
Rotowire
Williams (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Jazz.
Williams missed Saturday's game, which was the second half of a back-to-back set due to a right knee issue, as he will be load-managed throughout the season. However, he will return to action Monday against Utah. In two appearances, Williams has averaged 4.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.0 minutes per contest.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Williams (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets.
Williams will continue to be load-managed throughout the 2025-26 season, with the team going with a cautious approach with the Duke product. The squad will likely call on Oso Ighodaro to soak up more of Williams' minutes.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Grabs 11 boards off bench
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Williams finished Wednesday's 120-116 victory over the Kings with six points (3-5 FG), 11 rebounds and two blocks in 24 minutes.
As expected, Williams was limited to 24 minutes during Opening Night, but he looked good and was productive, despite coming off the bench. It's unclear if the veteran will supplant Oso Ighodaro as the starting center moving forward. However, Williams proved Wednesday that he doesn't need a full allotment of minutes to flirt with a double-double and rack up a few blocks.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Coming off bench
Rotowire
Williams isn't part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Williams will play just 20-24 minutes in the contest, and part of his limitations include coming off the bench. The 23-year-old center didn't play in the preseason, and the Suns are continuing to ease him along. Oso Ighodaro will start at center Wednesday.
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Suns' Mark Williams: To play 20-24 minutes
Rotowire
Williams will play somewhere between 20 and 24 minutes during Wednesday's game against Sacramento, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.
Head coach Jordan Ott indicated Williams would have a "target number" for minutes in the season opener, and it looks as though the talented young center will see a workload of 20-24 minutes. The 23-year-old has dealt with a plethora of injuries since entering the NBA in 2022, and he's appeared in just 106 games through three seasons as a result. Phoenix will look to ease Williams into the 2025-26 season, likely with the hope of keeping Williams healthy throughout a long campaign. Even with the minutes restriction, Williams is a double-double threat. He averaged 15.3 points and 10.2 rebounds across 26.6 minutes per game in 2024-25.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Will have minutes limit
Rotowire
Head coach Jordan Ott said Williams (undisclosed) will have a "target number" during Wednesday's season opener against the Kings, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Williams was held out of the preseason in order to prepare for the season opener. The team's coaching staff appears to be taking a cautious approach with Williams as the Suns head into the 2025-26 campaign.
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Suns' Mark Williams: On track for Opening Night
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Williams (undisclosed) is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.
Williams is slated to continue participating in team scrimmages in preparation for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Kings. The big man has yet to reach the 50-game threshold in any of his first three seasons, though he's on track to begin this year with a clean bill of health.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Going through 5-on-5 work
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Williams (undisclosed) has progressed to going through 5-on-5 work, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Williams will continue to be held out through Tuesday's preseason finale due to an undisclosed injury, but the fact that he's able to participate in 5-on-5 work is an encouraging sign regarding his status for opening night. While health is a concern, Williams' enormous upside makes him an intriguing player to gamble on as you approach the 80-range on draft day.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Progresses to light scrimmaging
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Williams (undisclosed) progressed to doing some light scrimmages Tuesday, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Williams was never expected to play during the preseason, with the team targeting the regular-season opener against the Kings on October 22 for his return. Phoenix is treading lightly with Williams due to his injury history.
Williams (undisclosed) is not expected to play in China or for the rest of the preseason, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
The team is targeting the regular-season opener on Oct. 22 against the Kings for Williams to make his debut. Williams is on an intentional plan to gear up for the opener.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Misses Friday's game
Rotowire
Williams (undisclosed) did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Nets, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Along with Jalen Green (hamstring), Williams watched this game in street clothes. The Suns are treading lightly with Williams, given his injury history, and he's now missed both preseason games so far. With how cautious the team is being, this could certainly be viewed as a red flag for fantasy purposes. Williams' next chance to play comes Sunday in a rematch against the Nets.
Suns' Mark Williams: Won't play in preseason opener
Rotowire
Williams will be held out of the Suns' preseason opener against the Lakers on Friday, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Due to Williams' extensive injury history, Phoenix is treading lightly with their new center. The team will continue to evaluate Williams to prepare him for the 2025-26 campaign, making his status for the remainder of the preseason uncertain.
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