The Phoenix Suns will face the New Orleans Pelicans for the second straight night this evening, marking their fifth back-to-back of the season. In every previous back-to-back, the team has chosen to sit center Mark Williams. He has a long injury history, and the Suns are doing everything they can to limit fatigue that could turn into something lingering.
After putting up 24 points and 13 rebounds last night and serving as a primary force in the win over the Pelicans, the team has not committed to playing Mark Williams tonight. But they haven’t ruled him out either.
Williams had several family members in attendance for last night’s game, and according to him, they will be back in the building again this evening.
“It’s cool for them to be here,” Williams said after last night’s game. “They’ll be at the game (Saturday) too.”
If he plays, it will mark his first back-to-back appearance of the year. This is the first time all season the team has listed him as questionable on the second night of a back-to-back, as the team typically lists him as ‘out’ with an injury management designation.
Williams was a key piece in last night’s win, and the Pelicans had no answer for him on the interior. He scored 24 points and had 11 rebounds in the Suns’ 115-108 victory. For all the hype around Dereck Queen, he could not handle the aggression, the motor, or the approach Williams brought to the floor.
This feels like a signal. It suggests the Suns are growing more comfortable with where he is physically, balancing stamina and fatigue as it relates to his injury history. Or this is good usage of the injury report, forcing the Pelicans to prepare for Williams’ presence, even if he doesn’t play.
We will ultimately see whether he plays or if he plays in a limited capacity tonight. Phoenix runs it back against New Orleans tonight at 5 PM Arizona time.
