The Phoenix Suns blew through their two game stay in New York with victories over both the Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, solidifying their spot as the seventh seed out West in the process.
In the aftermath of the win in Brooklyn, head coach Jordan Ott was asked about the possibility of center Mark Williams again playing in the second night of a back-to-back versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
Suns having no plan for Williams is perfect spot for player to be
Ott wouldn't commit to Williams appearing in that game given he racked up 29 minutes on the court in Brooklyn, although he has played in a couple of back-to-backs already,
"We'll take a look. It's always the same. How does he feel coming out. There's really no plan other than that. Just stick to that."
"How many minutes?"
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 20, 2026
Jordan Ott when asked about Mark Williams playing 2nd of back-to-back as he posted 16 points and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes of win over Nets.
Suns at 76ers Tuesday.
"We'll take a look. It's always the same. How does he feel coming out. There's really no plan… pic.twitter.com/W6wUvFj5VE
Coach Ott saying there is no plan for Williams might sound like a negative, but in fact it is the best possible spot the player could be in over halfway through this season.
Remember he didn't appear in any preseason action for the franchise, while he was held out of the first few back-to-backs that the team had.
So for the Suns to have reached a point where they feel comfortable deciding after each game whether or not to play Williams shows you how far he has come in the space of a year.
The Los Angeles Lakers vetoed a trade for him at the eleventh hour at the deadline last season because of those injury concerns, and he has made them look very silly for doing so.
Both Williams and the Suns have a lot on the line heading into the offseason as well. He rightly wants to get paid, and might just receive help from the strangest source, while the franchise gave up a pair of first round picks to acquire him.
It is not in their best interests to run him into the ground before giving him a deserved extension and then have him on street clothes on the bench, so the fact they're taking it game by game proves they don't have long-term concerns about his health.
Coach Ott couldn't have handled this situation any better either, as he has never been drawn into baseless speculation on the condition of Williams and has always been upfront with the media.
It is clear the player loves The Valley and the franchise are delighted to have him. Whether or not he plays versus the 76ers is irrelevant, he's exactly where he needs to be and continues to make the Lakers look silly in the process.