Suns Center Mark Williams Out; Warriors Activate Kristaps Porzingis for Elimination Matchup
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PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns will be without starting center Mark Williams in Friday’s win-or-go-home game against the Golden State Warriors because of left foot soreness, the team announced.
The fourth-year big man had been listed as questionable before being ruled out. Williams previously missed 15 straight games late in the regular season with a stress reaction in the same foot. Head coach Jordan Ott said the injury flared up during the third quarter of Tuesday’s play-in loss to Portland. “We’re just waiting for the inflammation to calm down,” Ott told reporters.
Second-year center Oso Ighodaro will replace Williams in the starting lineup.
Grayson Allen (left hamstring) was upgraded from questionable to available and is expected to play. The veteran guard remains under contract for two more seasons.
Golden State faced its own injury concern entering Friday, listing center Kristaps Porzingis as questionable with right ankle soreness. Despite visible discomfort during warmups, the Latvian center has been cleared to play, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Williams will enter restricted free agency this summer, while Porzingis, who is unrestricted, remains eligible for a contract extension through June 30.
Source: Hoops Rumors
