Feb 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
GLENDALE – Two Phoenix Suns starters on the injury report are ramping up for a return but are missing one requirement. Head coach Jordan Ott spoke with the media on Friday on the injury status of Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. The duo have missed the last month of the season with a fractured hand and a foot injury respectively. Brooks and Williams have started individual work, but Ott revealed that neither have started five-on-fives, a crucial step of getting cleared.
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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
Ott’s update on Brooks and Williams:
Suns coach Jordan Ott said Dillon Brooks (hand) and Mark Williams (foot) are making progress, but have yet to play 5-on-5. #Suns
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 27, 2026
Arizona Sports John Gambadoro reported earlier in the week that the team expects the two back sometime next week at the beginning of April. Phoenix faces off against the Utah Jazz on Saturday before heading on a four-game road trip. Gambadoro reported that Brooks could return during that trip, while Williams’ return is most likely during the team’s next home stand.
Feb 10, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) looks to make a pass against Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks (3) and Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) in the second half of the game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Regardless of the belief amongst the Suns or reporters, until the two starters complete five-on-five drills and scrimmages, they won’t see the floor. With nine games left in the season, knocking off the rust before the playoffs is crucial for a team that is trying to make noise in the postseason. Phoenix is essentially locked into the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Clippers are three games behind at the eighth seed, and the Houston Rockets are three and a half ahead of the Suns for sixth. The franchise need Brooks and Williams back most importantly to secure its playoff spot in the Play-In. The Play-In tournament is three weeks away, beginning on April 14th. Brooks and Williams should be back, but throwing them into a playoff-like environment is a tough position to put them.
Timeline for Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams return to Suns lineup revealed
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
