Suns' Williams has shoulder surgery, out extended time — SkimNews
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- Mark Williams had surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss extended time, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Williams suffered the injury during a recent offseason workout, a setback for the 24-year-old coming off the healthiest season of his four-year NBA career.
- Williams signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million deal to return to the Suns in free agency after arriving in Phoenix in a 2025 draft-night trade from Charlotte.
- Williams appeared in 60 games last season — a career high, up from a previous best of 44 — averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes.
- Williams took over as the Suns' starting center and was part of the group that helped Phoenix exceed preseason expectations to reach the playoffs.
- Charlotte's first attempt to trade Williams was rescinded shortly before the 2025 trade deadline, before a deal sending him to Phoenix was completed on draft night.
Why it matters: The Suns guaranteed Williams $38 million over three years to anchor their frontcourt, and his healthiest season yet just earned Phoenix a playoff berth — so losing him for an extended stretch before camp even opens weakens a roster that needs him to validate that bet.
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