Suns' Mark Williams: Scores 19 points with eight boards
Rotowire
Williams notched 19 points (6-9 FG, 7-8 FT), eight rebounds, one steal, one block and one turnover in 26 minutes during Friday's 114-113 win over the Timberwolves.
Williams is quietly having a top-60 season with averages of 12.2 points on 63.2 percent shooting from the floor and 78.7 percent at the line to go with 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and just 0.9 turnovers per contest. If he can just manage to stay healthy this season, he could be on a lot of winning fantasy teams.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Logs serviceable total in win
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Williams supplied 15 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 127-110 victory over the Trail Blazers.
The Suns spread the center minutes out between Williams and Oso Ighodaro in the win, although most of Ighodaro's minutes came in the second half with a secure lead. The Suns are utilizing the tactic of resting Williams in back-to-back contests, so we may see him take a game off in the upcoming back-to-back set this weekend.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Off report for Sunday
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Williams (rest) is off the Suns' injury report for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
After sitting out Thursday's win over the Pacers -- the second leg of a back-to-back set -- Williams is set to return Sunday. With the big man back in the lineup, Nick Richards is expected to slide back to the bench. Over his last five outings, Williams has averaged 12.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Confirmed out for Thursday
Rotowire
Williams (rest) will not play Thursday against the Pacers.
Thursday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so Williams will get the night for maintenance. During Wednesday's game against Dallas, Williams produced 10 points (5-6 FG), four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals over 26 minutes. Guys like Nick Richards, Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach could be more involved as a result of this news.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Hits for 19 in win
Rotowire
Williams produced 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-5 FT), six rebounds and two steals over 29 minutes during Saturday's 114-103 victory over the Clippers.
Making his sixth straight start, Williams tied his season low in rebounding but remained productive on the defensive end as he snagged multiple steals for the fourth time this season. The 23-year-old center is averaging 14.0 points, 9.7 boards, 1.7 steals, 1.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in 27.0 minutes a game as part of the starting five, and while Suns coach Jordan Ott is still searching for a lineup he likes, Williams seems to be establishing himself as a consistent piece of the puzzle.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Good to go against Clippers
Rotowire
Williams (illness) is available for Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Williams was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's game due to an illness, but the fourth-year pro has been cleared to play. He has started in each of the Suns' last five games, averaging 13.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game during that span.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Questionable Saturday
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Williams (illness) is questionable to play in Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Williams is dealing with an illness, which could sideline him. The Suns will likely turn to Oso Ighodaro, Nick Richards and Khaman Maluach if Williams is ruled out.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Shines in starting role
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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: Off injury report
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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: Grabs 11 boards off bench
Rotowire
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: To play 20-24 minutes
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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
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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.
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Suns' Mark Williams: Won't play in preseason opener
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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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Suns' Mark Williams: Dealt to Suns on draft night
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Williams was traded to the Suns during Wednesday's draft, with the Hornets receiving the No. 29 pick and a 2029 first-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The Suns also drafted a center in Khaman Maluach, whose immense development has impressed scouts, but he may not yet be ready for a starting role on a Suns team still trying to compete. Williams being dealt from the Hornets felt inevitable after last season's trade to the Lakers at the deadline was reversed due to his failed physical. It's true that the center has had trouble staying healthy, appearing in just 106 career games after being drafted No. 15 overall in 2022. Still, he's been productive when available. Williams is coming off his best season, averaging 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 26.6 minutes. This trade doesn't project to impact his fantasy value massively, and he'll head into next season with the same tantalizing upside and health questions he's had in prior years.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Will play vs. Boston
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Williams (foot) has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Celtics.
After missing Wednesday's game to manage his foot injury, Williams will be back on the floor Friday. The rising star has been playing at a high level over the last five games, averaging 16.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 70.8 percent from the field.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Ruled out for Wednesday
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Williams (rest) will not play Wednesday against the Raptors.
Miles Bridges (hip) is also being held out for the second leg of this back-to-back set. With Williams on the shelf, Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will likely soak up the bulk of the center minutes Wednesday.
