The Golden State Warriors received a timely boost ahead of their high-stakes matchup, as Mark Williams has been officially ruled out, removing a key interior presence and shifting momentum in Golden State’s favor.
Williams, who averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds this season, has been a reliable anchor in the paint. His absence eliminates a major defensive obstacle for a Warriors team built on spacing, ball movement and perimeter shooting.
The Phoenix Suns center has been downgraded from questionable to out for the April 17 Play-In Tournament game against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center . Suns coach Jordan Ott said Williams’ left foot flared up early in the second half of Tuesday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 7-8 play-in game .
“Just flared up,” Ott said before Friday’s game. “Now we’re just waiting for the inflammation to calm down” .
Williams finished with four points in 22 minutes as Ott said the foot setback factored in the 7-footer not playing in the fourth quarter . He had previously missed 15 consecutive games with a left foot third metatarsal stress reaction .
A Glimmer of Good News for the Suns
There is one positive note for Phoenix: Grayson Allen has been upgraded from questionable to available after missing Phoenix’s last two games . Allen is averaging a career-high 16.5 points in 51 games in his third season with the Suns .
The sharpshooting guard suffered a left hamstring strain on April 10 and hadn’t played since, missing the Suns’ final regular-season game and their first play-in contest . His return provides some perimeter spacing, though the loss of Williams remains a significant blow.
Mark Williams Injury Update Opens Door for Warriors Offense
Without Williams protecting the rim, Golden State’s offense is expected to operate with greater freedom. Driving lanes should open for guards and wings, allowing them to attack downhill or collapse the defense to create open three-point opportunities.
This plays directly into the Warriors’ identity, where quick ball movement and off-ball action generate high-quality looks from beyond the arc.
The Warriors won the 3-point battle in all four regular-season meetings against the Suns, making 18 more threes than Phoenix across the season series . Golden State went 3-1 against the Suns during the regular season, with their only loss coming by a single point on a controversial foul call that gave Phoenix free throws with 0.4 seconds left .
Kristaps Porzingis Injury Update Looms Large for Warriors
Adding to the positive outlook is the expected availability of Kristaps Porzingis, who is trending toward playing despite being listed as questionable with right ankle soreness.
Porzingis delivered 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes in the Warriors’ comeback win over the Los Angeles Clippers, though he was seen favoring his ankle late in the game . According to Anthony Slater of ESPN, there is optimism surrounding his availability.
Porzingis is expected to test the ankle during shootaround, but indications are that he will suit up — a critical development for a Warriors team seeking frontcourt stability.
Warriors Frontcourt Advantage Grows With Williams Out
The 7-foot-3 forward has averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 15 games with Golden State, providing scoring punch and rim protection . His presence becomes even more valuable against a Suns team adjusting without its starting center.
If active, Porzingis could take on a larger offensive role, particularly in stretches when Stephen Curry is off the floor. As noted in pregame coverage, Golden State may lean on Porzingis as a secondary scoring hub to stabilize the offense during non-Curry minutes.
If Porzingis is unable to suit up, the Warriors would have to rely on 19-year veteran Al Horford to stretch the floor . Horford buried four three-pointers in the fourth quarter against the Clippers to help seal the win . The Warriors would likely also play Draymond Green as a small-ball center, though historically a smart strategy, perhaps it’s not his best role anymore after he spent most of Wednesday guarding Kawhi Leonard .
Stephen Curry Healthy, Warriors Carry Momentum
Curry is not listed on the injury report after briefly exiting against the Clippers before returning to score 35 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute. He poured in 27 points in the second half, signaling strong form entering the matchup .
Golden State has also won three of four regular-season meetings against the Phoenix Suns, adding confidence heading into the contest .
Suns Injury Report Adds to Warriors’ Opportunity
Phoenix continues to navigate its own injury concerns beyond Williams, including Grayson Allen, who is dealing with a hamstring issue and is listed as a game-time decision Friday. Allen has missed the team’s last two games, and his potential absence could impact Phoenix’s perimeter spacing and shooting consistency.
Combined with Williams being ruled out, the Suns could enter the matchup short-handed on both ends, increasing the pressure on their remaining rotation players.
Warriors Positioned to Capitalize on Favorable Shift
With Williams ruled out and Porzingis trending toward availability, the Warriors appear well-positioned to control the matchup. Phoenix is also managing multiple injury concerns, further tilting the balance.
What was once expected to be a tightly contested game now leans toward Golden State. Their ability to exploit the Suns’ weakened frontcourt — combined with improved health, rhythm and momentum — could ultimately determine the outcome in this critical showdown.
The winner of this game will advance out of the play-in tournament and into the playoffs, where the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are waiting . The loser’s season ends tonight .