The Phoenix Suns begin their preseason slate of games Friday versus the Los Angeles Lakers, the first of two contests against one of their biggest rivals in the league. They will then head off to Macau to face the Brooklyn Nets twice, before returning home for another meeting with Los Angeles, before the action begins for real.
Head coach Jordan Ott was speaking to the media after their practice session at training camp on Wednesday, and revealed that center Mark Williams will not be playing in the first tune up. Coach Ott stopped short of saying the often injured 23-year-old was in fact injured, but his follow up on when Williams will take to the court did not fill fans with confidence.
Williams unlikely to feature in games versus Nets in China.
In the video below - courtesy of the always excellent Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic - Ott revealed that Williams has done plenty of strength and conditioning work this season, but that live five-vs-five on court action has so far eluded him. A worrying sign given the regular season officially gets underway later this month.
Suns coach Jordan Ott addressing Mark Williams, who won't play in Friday's preseason opener vs. Lakers in Palm Desert: "Since July 1, he's been in here more than anyone else, developing his strength. I think he's more than doubled his lower body strength in that time period. He… pic.twitter.com/hl48PUgVur
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 1, 2025
From the wording of the update, it does seem like the franchise is just being extra cautious with a guy who managed only 44 games last season, but which somehow in year three was the most he has ever managed. We all know the Lakers eventually vetoed a trade to acquire him when they were desperate for a big man, which gives you some idea how worrying that medical must have been.
The Suns knew what they were getting into when they traded away a pair of first round picks to land him, but already having long-winded explanations as to his absence before the first preseason game is not a great way to start life in The Valley. The medical staff there know best however, and perhaps they are holding him back because they know he'll be good to go by opening night.
At this rate however it is hard to see how he won't be on a minutes restriction if he is good to go, while the fact he is up for a contract extension is another headache for the front office to navigate. What do you pay a player who thinks they deserve to make a lot of money - and when they're on the court show glimpses - but who also plays only half his team's games and is a dreadful rim protector?
This does open the door for rookie Khaman Maluach - who appears to have entered training camp with some momentum after an entertaining media day appearance and with veterans impressed by him - to start from the jump and make his mark. For Williams though, this is not the kind of update that the Suns wanted to reveal to the world ahead of their first preseason game.