Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss an extended period of time, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.
Williams suffered the injury during an offseason workout, creating an unexpected setback for a Suns team that had recently committed to him on a three-year, $38 million fully guaranteed contract.
The 24-year-old center played 60 games for Phoenix during the 2025-26 season, starting 55. He averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes per game while shooting 64.4% from the field.
Williams was particularly effective on the offensive glass, averaging 3.1 offensive rebounds per game. His 64.4% field-goal percentage ranked among the NBA’s most efficient marks, reflecting his role as a finisher around the basket rather than a perimeter scorer.
The 2025-26 season was Williams’ first with Phoenix after spending the first three years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. He established a career high with 15.3 points per game in 2024-25 before being traded to the Suns.
Williams has averaged 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds over 166 career games, shooting 62.9% from the field. His availability, however, has been a recurring issue since entering the NBA, as he has played more than 60 games only once in his four seasons.
The Suns had made Williams part of their long-term plans by re-signing him this offseason. His three-year deal came after he played 60 games in 2025-26, his highest total since appearing in 62 games as a rookie in 2022-23.
Phoenix will now have to adjust its frontcourt plans while Williams recovers. Oso Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games last season and averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22.0 minutes, while rookie Khaman Maluach averaged 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 46 appearances.
The Suns also have Devin Booker as their franchise centerpiece after he averaged 26.1 points and 6.0 assists in 64 games last season. Dillon Brooks averaged 20.2 points, while Jalen Green posted 17.8 points in 32 games following his arrival in Phoenix.
Phoenix reshaped its roster this offseason by acquiring Miles Bridges from Charlotte in exchange for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a future first-round pick. The Suns also selected Arizona forward Koa Peat No. 30 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
