The Phoenix Suns rolled into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets looking to halt a two-game skid - and did just that, thanks to a breakout performance from one of their newest faces.
With both Jalen Green and Devin Booker sidelined due to injury, interim head coach Jordan Ott needed someone to step up. Enter Mark Williams.
The 7-footer, acquired from Charlotte over the summer, delivered his most impactful game yet in a Suns uniform. Williams poured in 27 points on a blistering 13-of-15 shooting night, dominating the interior with a level of efficiency that made it look easy. He added five rebounds, a steal, a block, and - maybe the most impressive stat of the night - didn’t commit a single turnover.
Williams’ presence in the paint was a game-changer. Phoenix outscored Brooklyn 72-48 down low, using their size and physicality to control the tempo and grind out a four-point win.
It wasn’t just the numbers - it was the way Williams played. Confident, decisive, and in rhythm.
For a team missing two of its primary scorers, that kind of production from the center spot was exactly what they needed.
Dillon Brooks also brought the energy, dropping 26 points along with three boards and three assists. He played with his usual edge, giving Phoenix a much-needed spark on both ends. Grayson Allen and Jamaree Bouyea chipped in with double-digit scoring efforts, helping round out a balanced performance.
After the game, Ott made it clear that Williams isn’t just a stopgap while others heal - he’s someone the Suns want to feature moving forward.
“We have to involve Mark,” Ott said. “This is something that we'll definitely talk about going forward. Even when we are fully healthy, Mark has got to be a presence down there.”
And he’s right. With Williams showing this kind of touch around the rim and ability to finish through contact, it gives Phoenix a new dimension offensively - one that could prove vital as they continue to jockey for playoff positioning.
The win moves the Suns to 28-19 on the season, pushing them nearly 10 games over .500. They're now tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for sixth in the Western Conference and sit just one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the fifth seed.
But the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Next up: a Thursday showdown with the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, who come in with a 34-11 record and plenty of momentum of their own. And if that wasn’t enough, Phoenix will turn around and face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday in the second half of a back-to-back.
Still, if Mark Williams continues to play like this, the Suns might just have found the inside presence they’ve been missing - and a new wrinkle in their playoff push.