Mark Williams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (conditioning) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man figures to be back in action on Saturday after sitting out of Thursday's game, which was the second leg of a back-to-back set. It seems likely that the Hornets are going to continue having LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Williams on a rest program during back-to-back sets. Both players are expected to be back in action for Saturday's game. Jusuf Nurkic finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 18 minutes of action during a spot start on Thursday. He has been decent during his three appearances in Charlotte. Fantasy managers might want to consider Nurkic a low-end streaming option going forward.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (reconditioning) will not play on the second night of the team's back-to-back set coming out of the All-Star break. Williams played 29 minutes in the Hornets' win over the Lakers on Wednesday, chipping in 10 points and nine rebounds after not playing for two weeks while he was traded to the Lakers but then the trade was rescinded due to concerns with Williams' medicals. In addition to Williams' absence, LaMelo Ball (right ankle injury management) will also get the night off on Thursday, meaning the Hornets' offense will likely run through KJ Simpson, Elfrid Payton, Nick Smith, and Seth Curry in the backcourt while Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate will pick up work in place of Williams. Diabate had good numbers while Williams was out, but he and Nurk will have to try and slow down Nikola Jokic in addition to contributing on the offensive end on Thursday.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (conditioning) is available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Williams will make his return to the court after missing the final four games before the All-Star break. It was unclear how the Hornets planned to use Williams in their rotation after the trade with the Lakers fell through. Despite that, Williams will get the start on Wednesday. He's expected to have Jusuf Nurkic as his primary backup, which is bad news for anyone who is rostering Moussa Diabate. Fantasy managers who have Williams rostered can go ahead and get him active on Wednesday.