Unreal block by Mark Williams prevents bucket vs. Nets
Mark Williams was one of the pieces of the Phoenix Suns they brought in this past offseason to try to fix their issues at the center position that Jusuf Nurkic was no longer equipped to handle. Williams has had his ups and downs, with head coach Jordan Ott opting to switch with Oso Igodar over him at times, but when the tall center is locked down, he can be so imposing around the basket. Just ask the Brooklyn Nets.
Williams wasted no time establishing himself as a top shot-blocking threat against the Nets on Monday night. With more than 11 minutes left in the third quarter, the Suns center made a save on Nick Claxton’s dribble. Clacton tried to get a little fancy with it, using a lunge to try and shake Williams. But Williams matched him step by step and finished grabbing the ball in the air since Clacton’s float attempt.
Mark Williams just plucked the ball out of the air for a block 😅
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 20, 2026
The timing, athleticism and dexterity required to pull this off is no joke. Only the best shot-blockers in the league even attempt to grab the ball in the air and immediately take possession for their team, and the Suns’ center has all the tools to do this sort of thing.
The block was just one of three rejections on Williams’ night. The Suns currently lead the Nets in the fourth, 121-114.
Mark Williams is ideal for this plucky Suns team
Williams has a huge chip on his shoulder because of the rejected trade that would have brought him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and it is that underdog mentality that has fueled the Suns’ success so far in the 2025-26 campaign.
But in addition to being an incredible fit on the mental side of the ball, he was also a perfect fit on the field. He can run the floor quickly, he’s an athletic big man who is very unselfish and can protect the rim to try to guard the Suns’ smaller guards.
2026-01-20 02:48:00
