Suns’ Williams Expected to Miss Start of Season
Suns’ Williams Expected to Miss Start of Season
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Key Points
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Williams started 55 games last season after joining Phoenix in an offseason trade from the Charlotte Hornets, helping the revamped Suns return to the playoffs.
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Williams missed all but one of Phoenix’s 16 games in March because of a stress reaction in his left foot, an additional health issue from the previous season.
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The Suns said Williams’ surgery was successful and that a return-to-play timetable would be established later, with training camp scheduled to begin at the end of September.
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Phoenix is scheduled to open the 2026-27 season on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 21, putting Williams’ availability for the season opener directly in question.
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Oso Ighodaro enters the season with 30 career starts and a notable passing ability for his size, while Khaman Maluach had already generated buzz during Summer League before Williams’ injury increased attention on his role.
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder after sustaining the injury during an offseason workout, Valley of the Suns reported. The team has not provided a recovery timetable, but Williams is expected to miss an extended period and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season on October 21 against Portland. One unofficial estimate projects a potential return around February, according to Yahoo Sports.
Williams played a career-high 60 games last season and recently signed a three-year, $38 million fully guaranteed contract with Phoenix. His absence elevates backup center Oso Ighodaro into the starting role and gives 19-year-old Khaman Maluach a larger opportunity in the rotation, forcing the Suns to accelerate their center-development strategy before their playoff push.
Williams' Year of Growth Cut Short by Shoulder Injury
Williams started 55 games last season after joining Phoenix in an offseason trade from Charlotte. He averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, helping the revamped Suns return to the playoffs after a down year. The labrum tear marks another significant health setback for the center, who missed nearly all of March last season due to a stress reaction in his left foot.
Ighodaro Steps Up With 30 Career Starts
Oso Ighodaro enters the season with 30 career starts and a notable passing ability for a center. He is now positioned to handle the starting role immediately, while Khaman Maluach—a 19-year-old who generated buzz during Summer League—moves into a larger rotation slot. Phoenix must maintain interior defense and rebounding efficiency until Williams returns.
How a February Return Could Reshape Phoenix's Playoff Rotation
Williams' absence weakens the Suns at the start of a 2026-27 season following a 45-win playoff campaign. However, a potential February return would give Phoenix time to evaluate Ighodaro and Maluach before deciding how prominently Williams fits into the postseason rotation. The three-year, $38 million guaranteed contract means the Suns absorb the financial commitment while the center rehabilitates.
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