Hornets’ Mark Williams Still Struggling With Back Injury

Hornets starting center Mark Williams isn’t close to returning, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer reports.

The 2022 first-round pick hasn’t played since Dec. 8 due to a lower back contusion.

“Yeah, I can’t move like how I want to move,” Williams said. “It’s still tough for me to jump, (have) quick reaction and stuff. I’ve just started to get back into practice. I’m just trying to get back. That’s probably the biggest thing.”

Williams was averaging 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game before he was sidelined. He initially suffered the injury on Nov. 30 and played 29 minutes against Minnesota two nights later. He missed the next game, then struggled through 20 minutes of action against Toronto before the pain became too much to bear.

“I went to the locker room, got an MRI, got a CT (scan), dealing with that strain or whatever again,” he said. “I’ve been just trying to get back. But yeah, it sucks just to be watching. I’m trying to do everything I can treatment-wise.”

The Hornets haven’t been the same without Williams’ defensive presence. They’ve lost 11 straight, including Monday’s 111-93 defeat at the hands of the defending champion Nuggets. Nick Richards has moved into the lineup with Williams out and the team lacks depth behind him.

“I feel like I have a pretty good pain tolerance. But right now I just can’t. I can’t go right now,” Williams said.

The Hornets have already exercised their option on Williams’ contract for the 2024/25 season.