Charlotte Hornets’ injury woes begin early: Key starter sidelined for NBA training camp

Mark Williams’ training camp is already over before it even begins.

The Charlotte Hornets announced late Friday night that the third-year center suffered a strained tendon in his left foot during an offseason workout Thursday, sidelining him for at least two weeks.

That means Williams will miss the Hornets’ four-day training camp that begins Tuesday, coincidentally at the place he played college basketball — Duke University. It’s a blow for a team that is hoping to change its health fortunes after finishing only behind Memphis over the last two seasons in player games lost because of injury.

Williams missed most of last season because of what was initially termed a lower back contusion, playing in only 19 games. Now he’s out once again to begin preparations for the 2024-25 season, and is in danger of not being available for the five-game preseason.

Whether Williams will suit up and be in the starting lineup when Charlotte begins the regular season in Houston on Oct. 23 remains to be seen. Coach Charles Lee and Jeff Peterson, the Hornets’ president of basketball operations, should address Williams’ status during the team’s media day on Monday prior to leaving for camp.