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The Phoenix Suns head into Game 4 on Monday knowing one thing for sure: they’ll try to keep their season alive without their starting center, Mark Williams. With the Thunder one win away from a series sweep, Phoenix must reshuffle its lineup and lean on different pieces to mount a comeback at home.
Pain in the foot sidelines Williams again and forces lineup changes
The team ruled Williams out for a third straight matchup because of a stress reaction in the third metatarsal of his left foot. He had been listed as questionable for the previous two games before the Suns confirmed he would not play.
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Mark Williams’ return from foot injury could save Suns’ season: Game 4 vs Thunder
Williams previously missed 15 games in March with the same foot issue, and the recurrence now deprives Phoenix of its primary rim presence at a critical moment.
How Phoenix is adjusting its frontcourt rotation
Without the 7-foot-1 center, the Suns turned to second-year forward Oso Ighodaro to fill the starting center role.
- Ighodaro averaged about 17.1 minutes per game in the regular season.
- This series marks his first postseason experience, adding a rookie-level variable to Phoenix’s game plan.
- Coaches are asking him to match up against bigger, more battle-tested frontcourt opponents.
Williams averaged 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds on 64.4% shooting during the regular season, numbers that underline what Phoenix is missing on both ends of the floor.
Series context: the uphill climb and the Thunder’s control
Phoenix sits down 0-3 against Oklahoma City. No NBA team has overcome a 3-0 hole to win a best-of-seven series.
Even with Oklahoma City missing Jalen Williams at times due to a hamstring strain, the Thunder’s supporting cast has largely outplayed the Suns’ bench and rotation in the last two games.
Oddsmakers see the gap widening: FanDuel Sportsbook lists Phoenix as an 11.5-point home underdog for Game 4.
What Phoenix must do to extend the series
- Devin Booker must find his rhythm and shoulder the offense more efficiently.
- Improve defensive rebounding to limit Oklahoma City’s second-chance points.
- Protect the ball better and cut down on turnovers that fuel Thunder transition buckets.
- Get consistent minutes from role players and maintain energy on both ends.
Key matchups and storylines to watch on Monday
- How Oso Ighodaro handles minutes and physical matchups at center.
- Whether the Suns can deny easy looks on the interior without Williams.
- Booker’s scoring load and how the Thunder choose to defend him.
- Bench scoring swings, which could decide the pace and outcome late in the game.
With the pressure dialed up and the threat of a sweep looming, Phoenix will have to find immediate answers in personnel and execution to keep the series alive.
