Suns big Mark Williams discusses his 1-game suspension
Mark Williams received a one-game suspension for his dust-up with Jose Alvarado in the Suns’ victory over the Pelicans on Dec. 27, 2025.
The Republic
- The Phoenix Suns will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, this time with Devin Booker in the lineup.
- The Suns are looking to avenge a significant loss to the Thunder from earlier in the season.
The Phoenix Suns will have their all-time leading scorer this time.
Devin Booker was sidelined with a right groin strain when Oklahoma City handed Phoenix its worst loss ever, 138-89, in an NBA Cup quarterfinal game Dec. 10 in Oklahoma City.
The defending NBA champion Thunder seemed motivated to show that their 123-119 escape Nov. 28 over the Suns in OKC was a mirage.
Sunday night, Jan. 4, they’ll face the Suns (20-14) again, this time in Phoenix.
“We know we have a really good team coming in here,” Booker said after Friday’s 129-102 home victory Jan. 2 over Sacramento. “I think we’re all looking forward to it.”
Phoenix will travel to Houston for a third battle, Jan. 5, against Kevin Durant and the Rockets in the second of a back-to-back. The Suns are 0-2 against both the Thunder (30-5) and the Rockets (21-10).
First things first.
Oklahoma City presents an assortment of problems, starting with their top-ranked defense that tends to speed up opposing offenses and force turnovers.
The Suns committed 21 turnovers leading to 34 OKC points in that lopsided loss.
“Taking care of the basketball is one,” Suns forward Dillon Brooks said. “Matching their physicality, two, and making shots is three. We do all those three, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win the game.”
Then there’s reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is nearly unguardable one-on-one, leading a dynamic, spread offense that generates 3s and creates driving lanes and backdoors.
“They’re just a well-oiled machine,” Suns big Mark Williams said. “It doesn’t really matter who is out there for them. They’re true to their principles. They play well and they’re just efficient. Defensively efficient, offensively efficient.”
The Thunder are fifth in the NBA in offensive rating and seventh in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.8%.
“Whenever they drive to the basket, more times than not, they get the benefit of the doubt,” Williams said. “Just being solid defensively and trying to not let other factors get to you, and then offensively, staying true to what you do.”
The Suns will once again be without Jalen Green, though he’s getting closer to returning from a right hamstring strain that’s limited him to two games.
But Grayson Allen might be back.
Allen participated in a second 5-on-5 Jan. 3 in looking to return from a right knee injury that’s sidelined him for Phoenix’s past eight games. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
“He played before practice,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said about Allen playing 5-on-5. “That’s been multiple times now. We’ll see. I think everything has been good. Now it’s a little bit of a rhythm to it, too. He’s getting there.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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