PHOENIX — Mark Williams’ absence in the Phoenix Suns‘ 133-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday made way for No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach to have an increased role.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Maluach played 13 minutes and scored six points on 1-of-4 shooting, his only field goal being a dunk and his first points of what projects to be a long, productive career.
Following the game, Maluach reacted to his first points.
“Getting my first basket is obviously a blessing,” Maluach told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “I’m happy, grateful and it’s just a process so keep building up day by day.”
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) defends Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Maluach isn’t currently projected to be a regular in Phoenix’s rotation, what with the versatile depth at the center position, but there is a case where his development leaves Jordan Ott no choice but to play him more.
In the meantime, the Suns are deploying a three-headed attack at center, with Mark Williams headlining, Oso Ighodaro starting as Williams ramps up from injury, and Nick Richards acting as a bruising, veteran third piece.
Although Williams didn’t play against the Nuggets, he’s off of the injury report ahead of Phoenix’s matchup with the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Mark Williams isn’t out for Suns for long
Oct 22, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) against the Sacramento Kings at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mark Williams has a reputation of being exceptionally talented, but lacking the ability to stay on the floor for stretches of a season.
Over his first three seasons in the NBA, Williams played in just 43, 19 and 44 games. And this year, his first with the Phoenix Suns, he didn’t play at all in preseason and has already missed one of three games.
But it isn’t what you think it is. In fact, Suns head coach Jordan Ott assured that him missing Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets was part of the plan all along.
“Just part of the plan to continue to build up his strength,” Ott said ahead of Saturday’s game. “We started three games in four nights. Just part of the plan.”
The Nuggets weren’t just Phoenix’s second opponent on its three-game road trip, but also the Suns’ second half of a back-to-back.
As Ott and his staff aim to ensure long-term health for their promising, young center, sitting out on the back end of consecutive nights will be a regular occurrence.
Mark Williams’ Status for Suns at Jazz
Oct 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) is defended by Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) as he drives to the basket in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Ott also detailed of he would be available for Phoenix’s final game of their road trip on Monday.
“If everything comes back, we can continue to assess him,” Ott said. “Everything looked good coming out. He didn’t play a ton of minutes (against the Clippers) because of how the game got out of hand, but yeah, everything looked good.”
Williams is off of the injury report ahead of the Suns’ game against Utah, but, as fans have become familiar with, these things can change after shootarounds the mornings of.
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