The Hornets announced Wednesday that Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Williams missed most of March due to the thumb issue but suited up for six of the Hornets' final eight games. He's expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp and should be back in time for the start of the 2023-24 season, when he'll likely settle back in as Charlotte's top center. In 17 appearances as a starter during his rookie campaign, Williams averaged 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 26.9 minutes.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Ends season with career day
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Williams logged 22 points (9-10 FG, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 30 minutes during Sunday's 106-95 win over the Cavaliers.
Due to ankle and thumb injuries, and the Hornets being well out of the playoff picture, Williams played in only six of the last 14 games of the season. However, he capped the year with one of his best performances. The 22-point game was his best of the season, coupled with 10 rebounds for his 11th double-double. The Hornets' center also blocked multiple shots in a game for the first time since Feb. 15. Williams ended his rookie year averaging 9.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, but he played in just 43 contests over the season.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is starting Friday against the Rockets.
Williams was probable for Friday's matchup, so it isn't very surprising to see him available following a one-game absence. Over his last three starts, he's averaged 12.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Probable Friday
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is probable for Friday's game against the Rockets.
Williams sat out Tuesday against Toronto due to his ankle injury, but he'll likely be able to return to the court against the Rockets. Over his last four appearances, he's averaged 12.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Officially out
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Raptors.
As expected, Williams will not suit up for Tuesday's game after initially being doubtful for the contest. Considering the Hornets will be without all five starters, both Nick Richards and Kai Jones should be in line for massive workloads. Williams will have another chance to take the floor Friday against Houston.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Receives downgrade to doubtful
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is now considered doubtful to take the floor Tuesday versus the Raptors.
After initially receiving a probable tag, it appears his ankle issue has taken a downward turn overnight, and the big man will likely sit out Tuesday's game. Williams has just two more chances to return to action before the regular season concludes, but his expected absence Tuesday should result in more minutes for Nick Richards and Kai Jones.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Probable to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is probable to face the Raptors on Tuesday.
Williams might have picked up the injury during Sunday's loss to the Raptors when he recorded a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, but the probable tag means the injury isn't likely to be serious. Barring any unexpected setback, Williams has a strong shot at being available and in the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest against Toronto.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Records double-double in start
Rotowire
Williams closed with 15 points (7-15 FG, 1-1 FT) and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes during Sunday's 128-108 loss to Toronto.
Williams led the team in rebounds and finished as one of five players in double figures in scoring while earning a starting nod due to the Hornets being short-handed. Williams has recorded a double-double in nine games this year.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Starting against Toronto
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Williams is starting against the Raptors on Sunday.
Williams is coming off a poor performance against Chicago on Friday, but he did see 35 minutes. With the Hornets missing so many players, we could see all three of Williams, Nick Richards and Kai Jones on Sunday.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Mediocre performance in return
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Williams finished with six points (3-6 FG), eight rebounds, one block and one steal in 35 minutes during Friday's 121-91 loss to the Bulls.
In the unusual game-to-game center rotation being implemented in Charlotte, it was Williams' turn to start Friday night, and he produced some solid defensive numbers as usual. His usage is still lacking on the offensive end, though. The rookie had begun to put up double-digit shot attempts toward the end of February, but that was short-lived. Fantasy managers are likely more frustrated with the revolving door situation at this team's center spot, which is likely to last the remainder of the season.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: In starting five Friday
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Williams will start Friday's game versus the Bulls.
Williams' return to the starting five seemed likely once it was reported he wasn't on the injury report. Nick Richards will shift back to the bench in a corresponding move.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Not listed on injury report
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Williams is not listed on the Hornets' injury report ahead of Friday's game against Chicago.
The rookie big man was rested for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, but he'll be back in the mix -- and perhaps in the starting lineup -- as the Hornets play out the string on a lost season. Coach Steve Clifford previously divulged that he'll rotate his young centers down the stretch, so expect either Nick Richards or Kai Jones to be held out of Friday's game. Given that Richards did not play in Sunday's game against Dallas, Jones is the most likely rest candidate.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Will sit out Tuesday
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Williams will sit out Tuesday's game against the Thunder, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.
Head coach Steve Clifford will be rotating his three centers for the remainder of the season, so Williams, Nick Richards and Kai Jones will likely take turns getting a day off. With Williams taking his turn Tuesday against the Thunder, we can expect to see him back on the floor for Friday's matchup versus the Bulls.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Double-double in Sunday's win
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Williams notched 15 points (5-9 FG, 5-7 FT), 16 rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes during Sunday's 110-104 win over the Mavericks.
After coming off the bench Friday in his return from a thumb injury, Williams was back in the starting five and came through with his eighth double-double of the year, as well as his biggest performance on the glass since he ripped down 20 boards against the Heat in late February. The rookie center figures to remain productive over the final weeks of the season as long as he can stay healthy.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Starting against Dallas
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Williams is in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Mavericks,
Williams had settled as the Hornets' starting center after the trade deadline and will recover his regular spot now that the thumb injury he was dealing with is a thing of the past. Williams is averaging 10.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 25.6 minutes per game in 12 starts this season.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Fares well in return
Rotowire
Williams (thumb) came off the bench and generated 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block in 21 minutes Friday in the Hornets' 117-109 win over the Mavericks.
Williams had started in each of the Hornets' 12 games following the trade deadline, but he was deployed off the bench Friday, likely as a means for the Hornets to manage his minutes better coming off a six-game absence due to a thumb sprain. The rookie ended up seeing a smaller share of the playing-time split at center with starter Nick Richards (10 points, 11 rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes), but expect the minutes to be distributed more equally -- if not tilt back in Williams' favor -- in the games to come. Even if both Williams and Richards maintain around 24 minutes per game apiece for the rest of the season, it would likely be enough for both to have relevance in 12-team category leagues for managers prioritizing field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Available for Friday
Rotowire
Williams (thumb) is available for Friday's game against the Mavericks, per Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site.
After six straight games on the sidelines, the Hornets will be thrilled to have their rim protector back. Williams will come off the bench with the Hornets easing him back into things, while Nick Richards will remain with the starters and should hold onto some decent fantasy value for the time being.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Likely to play Friday
Rotowire
Williams (thumb) is probable for Friday's game versus the Mavericks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Williams is expected to return to the lineup Friday after missing the previous six games with a right thumb sprain. His return will likely cause a decrease in Nick Richards' minutes, as Williams had started 12 consecutive contests before suffering the injury.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Out Thursday
Rotowire
Williams (thumb) will remain on the sidelines for Thursday's game in New Orleans.
Thursday will mark Williams' sixth straight game on the sidelines, and considering there haven't been any reports of him making much progress with the thumb injury, he should be considered doubtful for Friday's game in Dallas as well. Nick Richards has been heating up in a larger role sans Williams, and over the past five games, he's put in averages of 9.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks on 70.8 percent shooting.
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Hornets' Mark Williams: Remains out
Rotowire
Williams (thumb) is out for Monday's game against Indiana.
Williams is slated to miss a fifth straight game due to a thumb sprain on his right hand. Nick Richards and Kai Jones are candidates for increased roles for the duration of Williams' absence.
