The Phoenix Suns have been enjoying a strong stretch in the current NBA season. They hold a 35-26 record and are in seventh place in the Western Conference standings.
Injuries, however, remain a concern. On Thursday night, shortly before their game against the Chicago Bulls, the team issued troubling reports regarding center Mark Williams.
Mark Williams’s Injury Adds to Phoenix Suns’ Woes
According to the Suns, Williams will be sidelined after doctors diagnosed a stress reaction in the third metatarsal of his left foot. The team stated that he is expected to miss approximately two to three weeks while recovering.
BREAKING: Mark Williams has suffered a stress reaction in his third metatarsal of his left foot.
He will be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks. pic.twitter.com/DyEz4A5uRh
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) March 5, 2026
The announcement came shortly before the game against Chicago. During a pregame media session, Suns head coach Jordan Ott addressed the situation and provided context for the sudden update.
“No. It just popped up. Yesterday, when he came in, day in between games, just had a little soreness. Went to have an image and you saw the news,” Ott said.
“No. It just popped up. Yesterday when he came in, day in between games, just had a little soreness. Went to have an image and you saw the news.”
Suns coach Jordan Ott when asked if Mark Williams has been dealing with a foot issue for a while.
Scheduled for re-evaluation in… pic.twitter.com/pGirFhzswa
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 6, 2026
Williams has been a valuable presence in the paint for Phoenix this season. Before the injury, he averaged 11.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.
The 7-foot-1 center entered the NBA when the Charlotte Hornets selected him 15th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. He began his career in Charlotte before being traded to Phoenix last June. The deal sent guard Vasilije Micić, the draft rights to Liam McNeeley, and a protected 2029 first-round pick to the Hornets in exchange for Williams.
History of Williams’ Injuries
Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring issue for Williams throughout his young career.
During his rookie season in Charlotte, he appeared in only 43 games due to ankle and thumb problems. In his second year, a lingering back issue limited him to 19 games before he missed the final months of the 2023-24 campaign.
Early in the 2024-25 season, Williams suffered a strained tendon in his left foot that kept him out of the first 20 games. Because of his recurring injuries, Charlotte even attempted to move him before the 2025 trade deadline.
At one point, a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers was reportedly close, but the trade was called off after Williams failed his physical examination.
After returning to the Hornets late in the season, Williams responded strongly, averaging more than 15 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Now it is a waiting game. The Suns will reassess his condition after the three-week window, with hopes for a more positive update at that time.
