Mark Williams Stats Tonight: How did 7-foot big play against LeBron James' Lakers after failed trade? (Feb. 19)

Mark Williams returned for the Charlotte Hornets against the LA Lakers in Wednesday's "makeup" game for the teams after they had their January contest postponed. It was presumably a revenge game for Williams, who nearly joined the Lakers at the trade deadline. However, LA voided the trade, citing a failed physical.

Williams claimed he didn't have any injuries and was surprised about the trade getting voided for this issue. He made his thoughts clear on this issue before the game, saying:

"I didn’t think I failed my physical. That never even crossed my mind. The night I got traded, I played hella minutes—I didn’t think that was possible. Every injury I’ve had has been well-documented, and I’ve been 100% since. I don’t know what went into that decision. That’s up to them."

Williams suited up against the Lakers, hoping to prove the team wrong about their decision. The 7-foot- big man, however, couldn't make much difference. He had four points, five rebounds and one foul in 14 first-half minutes. Williams shot 2 of 4 from the floor. Despite the Lakers playing small for majority of the half, he failed to expose their lack of interior defense. Williams was a +/- -7 with the Hornets trailing 48-37.

Mark Williams had a slightly better performance in the second half. But he was, unfortunately, in the spotlight after being on the receiving end of an incredible poster by LeBron James in the third quarter.

Nevertheless, it was still a solid showing from Williams, barring that possession, contributed more on defense and seemed more active. He finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds and two assists, shooting 3 of 7, including 4 of 4 from the free throw line.

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Mark Williams has the last laugh in massive win against LeBron James and Co.

Mark Williams got his revenge for the rescinded trade against the LA Lakers on Wednesday after the Hornets stormed back to win 100-97. Charlotte trailed by 13 in the first half but chipped away in the second to steal an unlikely win. The turning point of the game was Austin Reaves' ejection in the third quarter after the ref issued him a double technical for an argument on a questionable non-call.

The Lakers' struggling halfcourt offense suffered a major dent without Reaves from that point on. Despite Luka Doncic and LeBron James' best efforts, the Hornets pulled away behind clutch plays from Nick Smith Jr., who hit a 3 with 48 seconds left to put Charlotte up two and LaMelo Ball, who made a layup to extend the lead to four with 14 seconds left.

Ball also made the game-winning free throws after the Lakers fouled down one following a LeBron James 3-pointer.