The Phoenix Suns have started the 2025-26 NBA season 1-1, and they have done so without the help of Jalen Green. The 23-year-old yet to feature because of a hamstring issue, although he could yet take to the court by the end of the three game Western trip that the Suns currently find themselves on.
The situation had been better with center Mark Williams however - and despite arriving in The Valley with a worrying injury history - he had managed to play the first two games of the season. He was excellent in 24 minutes off the bench versus the Sacramento Kings, before following that up with an awful showing in the loss to the L.A. Clippers.
Williams to sit out back-to-back versus Denver Nuggets.
The latest update on the former Charlotte Hornet is not a positive one, and he will be inactive for the meeting with the Denver Nuggets. Although not specified - the reason given is management of his right knee - what this means is that Williams isn't going to play because it is a back-to-back. That is also likely to continue as the season unfolds.
Suns injury report at Nuggets:
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 25, 2025
Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) OUT.
Mark Williams (right knee injury management) OUT. #Suns
Although this was perhaps to be expected, the fact he had been able to play 24 minutes right away had maybe filled some fans with hope that the worst of his injuries were behind him. But for a player so young to have to mind his body in this way, does not bode well for the future. Especially given Williams is also now eligible for an extension on his rookie contract.
It also would have been nice to have the big man out there to go against Nikola Jokic, even if he would have had no chance to slow him down. The Suns will need many bodies to try and knock the Serbian off his game, and to have him missing at a time when he clearly would have been helpful to have is another reason to worry.
This does represent another chance for second year big Oso Ighodaro to once again start, while having Nick Richards around as an insurance policy continues to look like a smart move. Perhaps we should have seen this coming for Williams anyway, given he only played 14 minutes against the Clippers although again, he had a bad night.
If the Suns want to prove critics wrong this season - and they were off to a nice start even with the defeat in Los Angeles - then they are going to need Williams out there. The fact he's sitting already means talk of him perhaps breaking his total games played record of 44 from a season ago already looks optimistic. Concerning.