Hornets' Mark Williams: Likely several days away from debut
Rotowire
Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Friday that Williams (foot) remains limited to participating in individual workouts, James Plowright of SI.com reports.
While Williams seems to be making gradual progress in his recovery from a left foot tendon strain after ditching his walking boot a few weeks ago, Plowright suggests that the third-year center is likely at least 5-to-7 days away from making his season debut, in a best-case scenario. Before the team maps out a potential return date for Williams, he'll need to take part in multiple team practices. Nick Richards has been serving as the Hornets' starting center through the first five games of the season, but he exited Friday's 124-109 loss to the Celtics with a shoulder injury and looks to be day-to-day. The Hornets may have to run more small-ball lineups featuring Grant Williams or Moussa Diabate at center if Richards is sidelined along withMark Williams.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Still out against Boston
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Williams (foot) won't play in Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Williams will miss his fifth game to start the season Friday while dealing with a left foot strain. Nick Richards should continue to start in his absence. While there is no timetable for Williams' return, his next chance to suit up is Saturday's rematch with Boston.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Team option picked up
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The Hornets exercised Williams' fourth-year team option Wednesday.
Williams (foot) has yet to make an appearance this season and remains without an official timetable. Injuries aside, the upside is clear with Williams, and the Hornets made it official Wednesday that he's absolutely still in their future plans.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Another absence coming
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Williams (foot) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Raptors.
Williams' absence streak will extend to four games to begin the season Wednesday while he deals with a left foot injury. Until Williams is able to return to action, Nick Richards should continue to start.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains sidelined
Rotowire
Williams (foot) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Heat.
With Williams set to miss his third straight game Saturday due to a strained tendon in his left foot, Nick Richards should remain in the starting five. Williams' next chance to return to action is Wednesday's matchup with Toronto.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Won't play Friday
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Williams (foot) is out for Friday's game versus the Hawks.
Williams will miss his second straight contest to begin the regular season Friday while recovering from a strained tendon in his left foot. Nick Richards should receive another start in his absence. Williams' next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Miami.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out for opener Wednesday
Rotowire
Williams has been ruled out for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Rockets.
This does not come as a shock, as the big man is still ramping up from a strained tendon in his left foot he sustained prior to the preseason. However, there is some good news; Williams resumed on-court activity and has been progressing well in his recovery. There is not a timetable for the 22-year-old's return, but his next chance to suit up will come Friday against the Hawks.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Ramping up for regular season
Rotowire
Williams (foot) has discontinued the use of his walking boot and will be reevaluated prior to the start of the regular season, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com reports.
Williams sustained a strained tendon in his left foot prior to the preseason, but he is progressing well and could return for Opening Night. The 22-year-old has yet to play 50 games in a single regular season, and through two seasons he has averaged 10.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 combined steals plus blocks across 23.0 minutes per game in 62 total regular-season appearances.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Likely ready for training camp
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Coach Steve Clifford said Monday that he expects Williams (back) to be ready for the start of training camp, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Williams had a disastrous 2023-24 campaign, as his back injury limited him to only 19 appearances. He's expected to have a clean bill of health entering the 2024-25 season, however, and could be poised to bounce back. He finished the regular season with averages of 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks, so the upside is there.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Unlikely to play again in 2023-24
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The Hornets haven't officially shut Williams (back) down for the season, but the second-year center isn't expected to play again during the 2023-24 campaign, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Updates on Williams' status have been few and far between since he made his last appearance Dec. 8 before being shut down with what the Hornets initially listed as a lower back contusion. The Hornets' latest injury report has referred to his ongoing absence being the result of "low back injury recovery," and the team hasn't provided any concrete information regarding what kind of activity Williams is doing as part of his rehab program. Though the Hornets haven't officially made an announcement on shutting Williams down for the season like they have with LaMelo Ball (ankle), Cody Martin (ankle) and Seth Curry (ankle) within the past two days, fantasy managers in redraft leagues who have been holding Williams amid his prolonged absence can feel comfortable cutting bait at this point. Nick Richards has since taken over as the Hornets' starting center, with Grant Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski serving as Richards' primary backup options.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Will remain sidelined Wednesday
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Williams (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Williams continues to deal with a back issue and doesn't have a timetable to return. His next chance to suit up will be Friday against Golden State.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Listed out for Monday
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Williams (back) won't play Monday against the Cavaliers.
Williams continues to miss time due to a back injury and remains without a timetable for a return. His next chance to take the court will arrive Wednesday against Cleveland.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Won't play against Atlanta
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Williams is out to face the Hawks on Saturday due to a back injury.
Williams has been bothered by a back injury for the majority of the season, as he hasn't played since Dec. 8. Even though general manager Mitch Kupchak suggested in February that Williams would be re-evaluated soon, it sounds like his status will be week-to-week going forward, which makes sense considering the Hornets have no incentives to rush him in the midst of another non-contending campaign.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out another four weeks
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General manager Mitch Kupchak said Friday that Williams (back) will be re-evaluated in four weeks but is still expected to return this season, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.
Williams hasn't played since Dec. 8 due to a lower-back injury and is taking longer than expected to fully heal, prompting the Hornets to shut him down from activity for another month. Since the Hornets aren't in playoff contention and Williams will still require some ramp-up time even if he's cleared to resume on-court work after the four-week re-evaluation, a return in the latter half of March looks to be a best-case scenario. Fantasy managers in most redraft leagues shouldn't bother holding Williams in light of his prolonged absence, while Nick Richards should have some stability as the team's starting center sans Williams.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Another absence coming
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Williams (back) won't play in Friday's game versus the Bucks.
Williams' absence streak will extend to 31 games Friday due to a back injury. There is no timetable for his return.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out again Wednesday
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Williams (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Williams remains out indefinitely due to a back contusion. He hasn't played since Dec. 8, and Nick Richards should continue to draw starts until Williams is cleared to play again.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains out
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Williams (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Williams hasn't played since Dec. 8 and remains out indefinitely due to a back contusion. Nick Richards should continue to benefit from Williams' absence.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Williams (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Williams hasn't played since Dec. 8 due to a back contusion. He doesn't have a timetable to return, but his next chance to suit up will come Monday versus the Lakers, though he can be considered doubtful for that contest. Nick Richards should continue filling in as the starting center in Williams' absence.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out at least another week
Rotowire
Williams (back), who has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls, will be unavailable for at least another week.
Williams has missed a month due to a lower-back contusion, and he's being evaluated on a week-to-week basis for now. The Hornets haven't provided many updates regarding his status during his recovery process, but he'll be unavailable for at least four more games as he continues to work toward a return. Nick Richards should continue to handle increased run in Williams' absence.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out Friday
Rotowire
Williams (back) won't play in Friday's game versus the Bulls.
Williams' last appearance was Dec. 8, and the back injury has been bothering him for most of the season. Expect Nick Richards to remain in the starting lineup while Williams is out. The former Duke star will hope to return to action against Chicago on Monday, but that seems unlikely at the moment.