Mark

Williams

Wednesday’s game is the second in as many nights for the Suns, who lost to the Rockets on Tuesday. With Williams not playing, Oso Ighodaro will return to the starting lineup, and he is worth streaming in active deep leagues.

After playing 26 minutes in his return to the Suns’ starting lineup on Sunday, Williams played 28 minutes on Tuesday. While the increase in playing time was slight, his workload will be something to watch in Phoenix’s last three regular-season games. Oso Ighodaro (8/5/1/1/1) played 19 minutes off the bench, with his role taking a hit since Williams’ return to action. The Suns host Dallas on Wednesday, a spot where they could look to rest Williams. If so, Ighodaro would start.

The Suns have made two changes to their starting lineup. Goodwin replaces Collin Gillespie, who has been mired in a shooting slump, and Williams reclaims his place in the starting five, sending Oso Ighodaro to the bench.

Available for the first time in a month, Williams made his return to action in the city where he began his NBA career. The Suns’ center was used in a reserve role, and he scored efficiently in his 20 minutes. Add in the three blocks, and this was a good night for Williams despite the defeat. Oso Ighodaro remained in the starting lineup, tallying six points, nine rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes. The Suns are off until Sunday, and it would be unsurprising if Williams and Ighodaro swapped roles in that day’s game against the Bulls.

Williams is officially back after a monthlong absence. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Williams’ return means fewer minutes for Oso Ighodaro. Unless there’s a dire need for rebounds and assists, Ighodaro offers limited fantasy upside with Williams available.

Williams’ potential return to the Suns’ lineup carries some implications in fantasy basketball. Oso Ighodaro has served as the starting center in Williams’ absence, offering limited fantasy value. However, he is rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Even if Williams’ playing were to be restricted in his return to action, that would be enough to make Ighodaro a non-factor in most leagues.

Williams’ stint on the sidelines will continue into Week 23, and that means Oso Ighodaro should continue to start in his place. Ighodaro has been productive running with the first unit, and fantasy managers should continue to deploy him with confidence.

Ighodaro didn’t miss a shot from the field on Saturday; such is life when you’re able to play off of guards who can set you up around the basketball consistently. While his fantasy value has remained relatively low, the second-year center has done enough to merit rostering in deep leagues while the Suns await Mark Williams’ return from a foot injury. Ighodaro’s role for Week 23 should remain the same, which is good for those who have been rostering him.

Williams has been out since early March, while Brooks has been sidelined for a little over a month. The good news is that both are making progress in their respective recoveries. However, Williams and Brooks still not being cleared for 5-on-5 work does not bode well for their ability to impact fantasy basketball in Week 23. Managers stashing either in an IL spot can continue to hold out hope that this changes, but they should not ignore potential alternatives on the waiver wire.

Williams was ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Bulls due to a sore left foot, and the Suns have provided more clarity on his situation. He’s dealing with a stress reaction in his left third metatarsal and will be out for at least two to three weeks. There’s a chance Williams returns in time for the playoff weeks in Yahoo! default leagues, so managers should stash him in an IL spot. Oso Ighodaro has served as the backup center on most nights and should move into the starting lineup.