What’s up with Mark Williams’ minutes restriction? Hornets’ center sits again in Philadelphia
Earlier in the week, when it was time to celebrate another turn around the sun, Mark Williams kept things rather low key.
“Nothing crazy,” the Charlotte Hornets center said. “We had a game, so I just played the game. I had family here. And we just ate. Nothing crazy.”
In other words, Williams’ 23rd birthday mirrored his demeanor and personality: low key. On the basketball court, he’s slowly getting closer to being more like himself, working his way back from a foot injury.
Williams wasn’t in uniform for Friday night’s 108-98 loss to Philadelphia at Wells Fargo Center, keeping in line with the team’s cautionary vision. He joined LaMelo Ball (injury management) and Brandon Miller (left ankle sprain) in street clothes, powerless to do anything to halt the Hornets’ four-game losing streak.
Although he surely would have preferred to be tangling with 76ers center Joel Embiid, who was making his return from a weeklong absence due to a nasal fracture, Williams didn’t play since it was the tail end of games on consecutive nights.
That’s how it’s been since he emerged off the injured list on Dec. 3 and likely the blueprint for the foreseeable future until the Hornets’ performance staff deems otherwise. But Williams understands there’s a bigger picture in play, and just wants to keep that different dimension to the Hornets (7-21) with his interior play.
“Yeah, I feel like I bring a crucial piece to the team,” Williams said. “Obviously, right now it’s a little different being on a minutes restriction. But whenever I’m out there, I’m just trying to help the team however I can. Whether it’s offensively, defensively, protecting the rim, getting rebounds. Just whatever it is.”
Still, that doesn’t mean there’s a piece of Williams that yearns to break free of the early limitations, graduating to being fully unleashed. The competitor in him burns when he’s anchored to the bench in crunch time.
Only recently has he logged minutes in the second half, aided by him being inserted into the starting lineup again after coming off the bench in his first three appearances.
“I just try to control whatever I can,” Williams said. “It’s definitely tough. I want to be out there fighting with the guys. You know I just want to be out there. So, I think it’s when I’m out there doing what I can. Just controlling what I can control.”
Charles Lee is keeping the broader view in mind, which is why he’s gone to different combinations late in games that don’t include Williams. The coach won’t deviate from the early plan for Williams.
“Just overall, as a leader of the team and one of the leaders of the organization, you have to understand what is your vision, what is your bigger picture? And as bad as you want to win games, we also want to make sure that we are putting our players in the best position possible to have great careers.
“And so for Mark right now, being away as long as he’s been away, it’s important to us that we take the right steps and measures with minutes and exposure he has to NBA games.”
At least Williams is making the most of the action he’s seeing. He’s coming off his best overall outing of the six games he’s played in, posting season bests in points (16) and minutes (19) in Thursday’s loss to Washington.
He’s throwing down rim-rattling dunks, swatting shots and providing an interior presence the Hornets have sorely lacked while he’s been out.
“I feel like I’m starting to get my rhythm back, starting to get into the flow of things,” Williams said. “I think with every game I’m getting more and more comfortable. So, just control what I can.”
