Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) with center Mark Williams against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are starting to get healthy at the perfect time, with two starters expected to rejoin the lineup as early as next week. Wing Dillon Brooks and center Mark Williams have missed the last 13 game, with Phoenix going 6-7 in those games. Brooks fractured his left hand on February 21st, and Williams was diagnosed with a stress reaction to the third metatarsal of his left foot on March 4th.
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Arizona Sports John Gambadoro revealed the potential timeline for the two Suns players ahead of the team’s final nine game stretch.
Suns injured players Dillon Brooks (L-R), Haywood Highsmith, Grayson Allen and Mark Williams sit on the bench during a game against the Bucks at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on March 21, 2026.
Gambadoro on when to expect Brooks and Williams to return:
“Next week they’ll be back. I think it’s safe to say you can look for Dillon early part of the trip next week … for Mark, probably the end of the trip.”@Gambo987 gives an update on when the Suns expect Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams to be back in the lineup as they approach… pic.twitter.com/9FlxDxkF9T
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 24, 2026
Phoenix faces off against the Utah Jazz at home on Saturday before heading on a four game road trip: Memphis Grizzles, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls. The Memphis game is the front half of a back-to-back, with the team facing Orlando the next night. The franchise likely wouldn’t want Brooks to play in either of those games because it doesn’t want to put too much on his plate too soon.
One could speculate that the Suns could have the 30-year-old make his return on April 2nd vs. the Charlotte Hornets. Brooks would then have two full rest days before finishing the road trip in Chicago.
Feb 10, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) pulls back Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the first half of the game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Williams is already past the two-to-three weeks recovery time for his injury. Head coach Jordan Ott mentioned pregame before the Denver Nuggets game that the 24-year-old still hasn’t played five-on-five, which is a requirement for him to return to action. While Williams beginning individual work is a stellar sign, it doesn’t mean he’ll be back in time for the road trip.
The Suns return to the Valley for a two-game home stand vs. the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on a back-to-back. Similar to Brooks, Phoenix won’t want to push its luck and have Williams play two games in two nights. Williams making his return vs. Dallas on April 8th, the second night of the back-to-back, seems like the most logical conclusion.
If those prediction are both right, Brooks could play in the final six games and Williams the final three before the team heads off into the likely scenario of the Play-In tournament. The two remain the last crucial piece missing from the rotation. Once they return, the Suns will be at full strength for the first time in quite some time.
What does Dillon Brooks’ return mean for the Phoenix Suns’ playoff race?
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
