Hornets’ Mark Williams on shock of LA fires, returning from injury, LaMelo Ball's support for LiAngelo Ball’s "Tweaker" & more (EXCLUSIVE)

After experiencing hardship with the persistent losing, long-term injuries and a recent minutes restriction, Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams gained perspective that “there are some things bigger than basketball.”

The NBA postponed the Thursday’s game between the Hornets (8-27) and Los Angeles Lakers (20-16) amid concerns with the recent wildfires in the LA area in Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills. When the Hornets arrived in LA on Wednesday, Williams received a sobering reminder on how that has affected many people.

“I saw somebody in the elevator at the hotel and they lost their house,” Williams told Sportskeeda. “It’s a crazy time. It’s definitely bigger than us. Hopefully it gets under control a little bit more than it is right now.”

Following the Hornets’ morning practice on Thursday, Williams offered his empathy and prayers to the fire victims and touch on various topics. Williams evaluated the Hornets’ sluggish season. Williams addressed his play (12.2 points, 7.7 rebounds) and overcoming various injuries, including his foot injury during training camp and his lower back injury that sidelined him for most of last season. Williams also touched on LaMelo Ball’s growth and his impressions of LiAngelo Ball’s recent rap single, “Tweaker.”

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.

How do you assess where you are after jumping in following your lengthy absence?

Williams: “Obviously with me coming back and starting on a minutes restriction, there are challenges. In the first game, you’re just trying to get all the chains off and be free. But that’s really just a testament to our staff. They did a great job with my rehab process and obviously now I’m feeling good. So with each game, I am feeling more and more comfortable. I’m in a good spot.”

Are you off the minutes restriction?

Williams: “Yeah, I would say so. I would say so.”

When was it lifted?

Williams: “I couldn’t really tell you. I just know when they started playing me for most of the first half and gradually playing in the third and fourth quarters. From there on, I was pretty much free.”

What did it mean for you to get past that?

Williams: “Honestly for me, it was the first game I started. That was I felt a little bit more comfortable. I was on a minutes restriction then. But it felt like I was back to myself.”

I saw your wrap on your [left] thumb. But is everything good? Fully healthy?

Williams: “Yeah, I’m good. That’s just something minor. But I’m good, though. I’m feeling good each and every day.”

You’ve been efficient in a lot of different spots on the court this season. What’s been the key to that after missing a lot of games with your injuries?

Williams: “In my time that I was out, I was working on my game. Obviously, my teammates are finding me. There are a lot of spots that I’m comfortable in on the floor, whether it’s my floaters or my dunks. I’m also finding them at the same time for corner kicks and handoffs. That’s just us regaining the chemistry back with my teammates.”

After you took a 3, your coach [Charles Lee] said that taking 3s will be a part of your game. How do you view that?

Williams: “That’s definitely something I want to work on in practice and try to get better every single day. There’s no reason that can’t be a part of my game.”

What’s your sense from yourself and him on to what extent that will be a part of your game?

Williams: “Where I would get them? It would probably be in the corners. It wouldn’t be as much at the top of the key as it would be in the wings and the corners. But the bread and butter is always going to be the paint. It’s about protecting the rim and dominating the paint offensively. The 3s are more like dessert.”

When you said the staff really handled your rehab well, what examples come to mind?

Williams: “Obviously with being a competitor, as soon as you feel better, you just want to go all the way. They kind of made sure I took the proper steps and steadily ramped up with increasing my workload with each practice, each game and each workout. I was having it from a controlled standpoint. Then I just went from there.”

What did you mainly focus on addressing?

Williams: “When I first hurt my foot, there was minimal stuff that I could do. But once I was able to put more weight through it, I worked on calf strength, single leg stuff and stuff you can’t really prepare unless you’re in a game. Stuff like if I’m going for a block or rebounding, it’s more about getting your timing back. That’s probably the piece that I’m still trying to get back. I’m trying to get back to timing blocks accordingly. But that’s just stuff that can come with playing. Nothing more than reps.”

Given how long the injuries sidelined you, what was the process like for you from a mental standpoint?

Williams: “It was definitely tough, especially with wanting to play as much as I wanted to. But that’s really a testament to my teammates with keeping me positive, my family, of course, and really myself. I think that was the biggest thing for me with not listening to any negativity. I kept my head focused. I attacked rehab every day knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

With your support system with teammates and family, what things did they do to keep you positive?

Williams: “Really, the entire team was with me being at practice or on the road. I also tried not to be the down energy in the room. I was staying positive and being there for my teammates because they were the ones on the floor fighting while I was out. I think it was a combination there. And my sisters and parents kept my head in it.”

Individually, did you depend on any mindfulness, meditation or anything else to help with your mental health?

Williams: “Yeah, I definitely take deep breaths pregame. I say a little prayer to myself. All of that stuff keeps me grounded and keeps me at peace. It makes me comfortable out there.”

How do you evaluate this season when putting in perspective individual growth, a lot of injuries and the record?

Williams: “It’s definitely been tough. We obviously lack continuity when somebody goes down. They’re trying to be back on the floor as soon as they can. No one is wanting to sit out. That’s a common misconception when you see guys out. Guys always want to compete. Obviously the wins and the losses are tough, too. I think we’re a lot better than our record shows. We’ve definitely shown a lot of flashes of good things. It’s important for us that we put it over a course of all four quarters. We got the win in Phoenix, and we did a good job with playing a full 48 minutes. And that game was a win. So I think that’s a game that you have to build on to get into the win column a little bit more.”

What are the positive things that you see that aren’t reflected in your record?

Williams: “I think us competing. There were some games that we had slow starts, and it would’ve been very easy to roll over. But we found ourselves fighting and putting ourselves back in the game. Obviously, that’s an ideal way to start a game. But it shows what we’re capable of doing. So for us, it’s about doing that through a full course of a game instead of trying to fight back. Or if we have a lead, not to get too comfortable.”

Availability is a factor. But what are the controllables you think can make sure you’re all having a complete game?

Williams: “I think it’s about starting the game off with the right intensity and getting the 50-50 balls, rebounding and transition defense. Those are the big ones. It’s about attacking the glass, getting back in transition and starting the game with the right intensity.”

In what ways do you think LaMelo has grown this season?

Williams: “He’s an All-Star. He’s been playing at an extremely high level. His ability to score, playmake, rebound and play with a lot of flair, there’s not a lot on the court that Melo can’t do.”

Have you heard his brother’s song?

Williams: “Yeah, it’s fire! Shoutout to Gelo.”

LaMelo then approaches Williams and recites some of the lyrics: “‘Swerve in that corner, woah, woah!’”

Williams: “Shout to Gelo. Dropping heat in all of 2025! G3 on the come up, man.”

What do you like about the song?

Williams: “I like the song. A lot of people were talking about how it gives off the early 2000s vibes. It’s real catchy. We’re starting off 2025 off right.”

You all play it practice and postgame?

Williams: “Yeah, yeah. Practice, postgame and everywhere, man. Every arena that we’re in, he’s definitely popping right now.”

What does LaMelo think of it?

Williams: “He loves it. He always comes in with a positive attitude every day. But when that song came on, he was hyped.”

How about the big picture with this team. If you all can finally get healthy, what can this team do?

Williams: “A lot man. I genuinely believe that this team is really good. We’re capable of lot of things. Getting that continuity and playing a full 48 with the right intensity and effort, I think the sky’s the limit for us.”

Are you talking playoffs and being one of the contenders down the line?

Williams: “There’s a lot of time left in the season. Crazy things have happened in the NBA. For us to make a run is something we’re capable of doing.”

Even this season?

Williams: “Yeah. There’s no reason to shut ourselves off from that. Nobody is eliminated from playoff contention. There’s no reason we can’t do that.”

From here moving forward, what else are you looking to achieve with your development?

Williams: “As I continue to get back, honestly doing whatever it takes to get this team to win. Just making a lot of the effort plays and continuing to attack the glass offensively and finishing around the basket. Defensively, protecting the rim, blocking shots, altering shots and being the anchor for the team.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.