Mark Williams is patient • Basket USA

We cannot tell the Hornets medical staff that he did not take all the precautions to try to reintegrate as best as possible. Mark Williams. Charlotte's pivot is indeed as precious as it is fragile. And after only being able to play 19 games last season, then starting this season in the infirmary, injured in the foot, he remains preserved: the North Carolina franchise is doing its best to get him back into the swing of things gently.

Mark Williams returned under minutes restriction, like many players going through the same protocol. Only that of the pivot is a little more demanding and started slowly, with only ten minutes on average over his first three matches, without seeing the second half, before being reintegrated into the major five. But even there, for three games, he has not yet exceeded 20 minutes of playing time.

Evil for good

Of course, he was not allowed to participate in the second “back-to-back” game against Joel Embiid’s Sixers on Friday night. The situation is clearly difficult as his presence is essential for Charlotte at position 5, the big weak point of its roster. There's no question of skipping steps, however.

“Yes, I feel like I bring a crucial element to the team. It's clear that at the moment, it's a little different, being under minutes restriction. But when I'm on the court, I just try to help the team in any way I can, whether it's offense, defense, protecting the rim, and grabbing rebounds, whatever it is.”he confided.

His desire to play is challenged, like Friday when he could have faced Joel Embiid and continued his rise in power. But it's a blessing in disguise, one more moment to go through before finally being able to let the horses go. “I try to control what I can. It’s clear that it’s hard. I would like to be on the field, fighting with the guys. I just want to be on the pitch”he added.

Charles Lee defends Hornets' long-term vision

The situation is also complicated for his coach, Charles Lee, who had to do without Mark Williams as well as without Nick Richards to start the season, but who keeps in mind the importance of relaunching him gradually to try to avoid damage. .

“Generally speaking, as a leader of the team and one of the leaders of the franchise, you have to understand what the vision is, what the long-term goal is. And even if we want to win matches, we also want to make sure that we put our players in the best position so that they have great careers. And so for Mark at the moment, having been away from the field for so long, as was the case for him, it's important to take the steps correctly, whether in terms of minutes or the exposure that 'we give it to him in a match'slipped the Charlotte coach.

For Mark Williams in this case, his absence lasted almost a year since he only returned on December 3, 2024 after playing his last NBA match on December 8, 2023. Two weeks after his return, the results are for the moment positive, with already good outings to his credit (10 points and 5.5 rebounds on average in 14 minutes), and above all nothing to report on a physical level.

“I feel like I'm getting back into rhythm, starting to get back into the swing of things. I feel like with every match I feel better and better. I continue to control what I can,” concluded the Hornets pivot, who should return to action tomorrow against Houston.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.