Williams (foot) recorded four points (1-4 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one block in nine minutes Tuesday in the Hornets' 110-104 loss to the 76ers.
The third-year center made his first NBA appearance since Dec. 8, 2023, after a back contusion cost him the final 62 games of last season and a left foot tendon strain kept him sidelined for the first 20 games of the current campaign. As was to be expected following a year-long absence, Williams had significant restrictions in place in his return, as he was eased back in as a bench player and was part of a three-man center rotation with Nick Richards (29 minutes) and Moussa Diabate (10 minutes). Williams should eventually assume Diabate's minutes, but it's unclear if when or if he'll supplant Richards as the Hornets' starting center. On the rare occasions he's been healthy during his career, Williams has displayed an intriguing fantasy profile due to his efficient scoring and strong contributions in the rebounds, blocks and steals categories. He's worthy of a speculative pickup in most fantasy leagues where he's available, but he'll likely need to take hold of a consistent 20-plus-minute role before he becomes a usable option in 12-team leagues or shallower.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: May debut Tuesday
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Williams (foot) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the 76ers.
Williams is listed as something other than out for the first time this season and appears on track to make his debut Tuesday, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com. Given the big man's injury history, he'll likely face heavy restrictions if given the green light. Two-way player Moussa Diabate has started at center in both of the Hornets' last two games, but with Nick Richards returning to action Saturday after a 14-game absence and with Williams on the cusp of playing, Diabate will likely fall out of the rotation soon.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Still out
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Miami.
Williams and Nick Richards (ribs) both remain out, but they appear to be nearing a return to game action after recently going through a workout with the Hornets' G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Williams' next chance to suit up will come Friday versus the Knicks, but that's the first half of a back-to-back set. Given all the injuries to Charlotte's frontcourt, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun have taken on leading roles.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Recalled to NBA
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Charlotte recalled Williams from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Williams was sent to the Swarm to get some practice reps in, and he was recalled shortly after. The same is true for Nick Richards (ribs). Williams is presumably getting closer to making his first appearance of the season, but it remains to be seen if he'll take the floor Wednesday against the Heat.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Starts up G League assignment
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Charlotte assigned Williams (foot) to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Though Williams won't be available to play in the Hornets' game Monday against the Magic, he'll presumably be linking up with Charlotte's G League affiliate to take part in practice. Williams will likely rejoin the Hornets shortly after Monday's practice, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to make his season debut when Charlotte plays its second game of the week Wednesday versus the Heat. Nick Richards (ribs) looks to be on a similar timeline for a return as Williams, so Charlotte could get both of its top two centers back in action in relatively short order.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains out
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Magic.
Williams returned to practice this week, but it's still unclear when he'll be able to make his debut. Even when he's cleared to play, the oft-injured center will likely face heavy restrictions. Williams can be considered doubtful for Wednesday's game against Miami, barring a return to full-contact practice in the next few days.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains out for Saturday vs. Bucks
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Williams has yet to make his season debut due to a sprained left foot, though he has returned to team and group activities during practice. The big man is without a timetable for a return to game action, but his next chance to debut will come Monday against the Magic.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains out
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Pistons.
Williams can be considered doubtful until he progresses past individual drills. With Nick Richards (rib) also out, Grant Williams is expected to start at center again.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Won't play Tuesday
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Nets.
Williams continue to rehab from a strained tendon in his left foot that he suffered in late September. He is still limited to individual drills, and unless the Hornets announce that Williams has progressed to team drills and 5-on-5 work, the third-year big man should be considered doubtful to play. Regardless, his next opportunity to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut will be against Detroit on Thursday.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Not playing vs. Bucks
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Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Williams strained a tendon in his left foot before the preseason and was expected to miss a couple of weeks. He ditched his walking boot in mid-October and was considered questionable heading into Opening Night. However, he's remained sidelined for the first four weeks of the regular season and still doesn't have a clear return timetable. Coach Charles Lee said at the beginning of November that Williams remained limited to individual drills, but it sounded like the big man was attempting to gear up for game action in the coming days. The team hasn't released an update since, but Williams should be due for a re-evaluation soon. Until then, we'll continue to treat Williams as day-to-day, but he can be considered doubtful for future contests.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Still limited to individual drills
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Coach Charles Lee said Wednesday that Williams (foot) is still limited to individual drills, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Williams' continued activity is a good sign, but he's still a few hurdles away from being cleared for game action. With Nick Richards (ribs) sidelined indefinitely, the Hornets need all the help they can get, though Williams will presumably be limited upon his return. He's yet to play this season, played only 19 regular-season games last year and made 43 regular-season appearances as a rookie in 2022-23.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Likely several days away from debut
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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: 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
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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: 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: Another absence coming
Rotowire
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.
