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
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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
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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: 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.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Returns with near double-double
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Williams chipped in 22 points (7-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-9 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 31 minutes during Sunday's 131-117 loss to Chicago.
Williams returned Sunday after missing Friday's contest with a back injury, leading all Charlotte players in scoring and rebounds while finishing one board short of a double-double. Williams has surpassed the 20-point mark in 10 contests this season, pairing nine or more rebounds in all 10 outings. He secured his first game with 20 or more points since last doing so March 10.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Questionable vs. Chicago
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Williams (back) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bulls.
After missing Friday's game against the Kings, Williams is in danger of missing a second straight game due to a back issue. If he cannot play against Chicago, the Hornets will likely turn to Jusuf Nurkic, Moussa Diabate and Taj Gibson to help shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Downgraded to questionable
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Williams (back) is now listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Kings.
Williams has been downgraded from probable to questionable Friday due to muscle spasms in his back. If Williams is further downgraded to out, Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will likely receive increased playing time.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Another double-double in win
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Williams closed Monday's 110-106 victory over the Jazz with 18 points (8-9 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds and one assist over 34 minutes.
Williams returned to action after missing the previous game due to rest purposes. He ended the game with his third straight double-double, continuing his strong finish to the season. Although the Hornets' season has been far from positive, the fact Williams has been relatively healthy is a win for the organization. Assuming he remains in Charlotte, he should be locked in as a key piece moving forward.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Pulls down 13 rebounds
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Williams racked up eight points (4-7 FG), 13 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 111-104 loss to the Magic.
Williams wasn't much of an offensive weapon for the Hornets, but he made his presence felt on the glass and recorded double-digit boards for the sixth time over his last eight outings. A bit more consistency on the scoring side of things would be a boost for the Hornets, but overall, Williams has been getting the job done on both ends of the court. Over that aforementioned eight-game stretch, Williams is averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a combined 2.9 steals-plus-blocks per contest.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: No longer on injury report
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Williams (foot) is not on the injury report and should be available for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Williams didn't play in the 141-106 blowout loss to the Thunder, but he should be ready to return to the hardwood for Sunday's matchup against a reeling Heat team. Williams has started in each of his 13 appearances since the All-Star break and is averaging a robust line of 15.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 27.5 minutes per game.
