Williams recorded 12 points (3-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, one block and one steal over 28 minutes during Monday's 107-105 victory over New Orleans.
Williams entered the starting five in place of Dorian Finney-Smith, who was shut down Monday night due to an ankle injury. Williams saw a sizable boost in playing time as a result, and he made the most of his opportunity by turning in his best scoring output since Oct. 30. He also ended the game tied with Nic Claxton for the team lead in rebounds.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Gets spot start Monday
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Williams will enter the starting lineup in Monday's game against the Pelicans, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.
With Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) missing his first game of the year, Williams will receive his first start of the season. The 23-year-old has carved out a significant role off the bench thus far, and he has averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steals across 19.9 minutes per game in 10 regular-season outings.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Career-high 12 boards vs. Boston
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Williams registered nine points (4-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist over 23 minutes in Friday's 108-104 overtime loss to the Celtics.
Williams' 12 rebounds Friday were not only the most on the Nets but also a career high as he surpassed his 10-rebound effort against the Wizards on Oct. 28, 2023 as a member of the Grizzlies. Williams has been a key piece off the bench for the Nets this year, and he has played at least 20 minutes in five of the last six regular-season games.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Nabs two steals Monday
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Williams chipped in two points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two steals and one assist in 21 minutes during Monday's 106-104 victory over the Grizzlies.
Williams was a non-factor on the offensive end against his former squad. The 23-year-old reached double-digit points in three straight outings, though in his last two regular-season appearances he has amassed only six points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist while shooting a combined 2-for-7 from the field and 0-for-5 from three-point range. The fourth-year forward has yet to play fewer than 16 minutes in a game this year, though the eventual return of Noah Clowney (hip), Trendon Watford (hamstring) and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) could affect Williams' playing time.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Impressive off bench Wednesday
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Williams registered 17 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), one rebound, three assists, one block and four steals over 24 minutes during Wednesday's 119-106 victory over the Grizzlies.
Williams might have played off the bench in this game, but he made his presence felt on both ends of the court as soon as he entered the contest. The fourth-year forward, who was facing his former team for the first time in his career, has been trending in the right direction recently and has scored in double digits in back-to-back games after a slow start to the campaign.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Drains four threes off bench
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Williams had 18 points (7-8 FG, 4-5 3Pt), three rebounds, four assists and one block in 22 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 144-139 overtime loss to the Nuggets.
The former Grizzly put together his best game so far with the Nets, setting season highs in points, threes and assists. Williams has had a significant role on the second unit to begin 2024-25, but his usage will likely shrink once Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) is ready to make his season debut.
Williams managed 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-3 3PT), eight rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks in 27 minutes during Friday's preseason loss to Toronto.
Williams was fantastic off the bench, continuing his impressive preseason. After coming up short for the majority of his career, Williams finds himself in a favorable position, playing for a team that can afford to have him on the floor, even through the rough patches. While he probably isn't worth drafting at this point, he is someone to watch should Brooklyn opt to throw him out there a bit more as the season progresses.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Nears double-double
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Williams recorded 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds and an assist across 27 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 117-95 preseason loss to the 76ers.
Williams was one of three bench players who scored in double digits for the Nets in this loss, and he also made his presence felt on the glass by grabbing a team-high nine boards. Williams is aiming to secure a spot in the Nets' rotation as a capable forward off the bench. He's coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he averaged 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 20.4 minutes per game in 51 regular-season contests (15 starts) with Memphis.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Practice participant
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Williams (back/hip) was active for Brooklyn's practice Wednesday, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.
Williams dealt with a lower back injury and a hip flexor strain last season with Memphis, which combined to prematurely end his campaign in March. Entering training camp healthy is notable for the 23-year-old, who will fight to carve out a rotation role with Brooklyn.
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Nets' Ziaire Williams: Dealt to Brooklyn
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The Grizzlies traded Williams (back/hip) and a 2030 second-round pick to the Nets on Friday in exchange for Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Williams made 51 appearances (15 starts) for the Grizzlies in 2023-24 before missing the remainder of the season with a right lower back injury and a hip flexor strain. Before the injury, the 22-year-old forward averaged 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.4 minutes. However, efficiency was an issue. He shot just 39.7 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from three-point range. If Williams can enter the 2024-25 campaign healthy, he will likely compete for bench minutes in Brooklyn's forward rotation.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Out at least four weeks
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The Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Williams has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of hip flexor and low back muscles and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Even if Williams returns right at the four-week mark, there would be just two weeks left of games in the regular season. Derrick Rose (back/groin) will also miss multiple weeks, joining Brandon Clarke (Achilles), Desmond Bane (ankle), Marcus Smart (finger) and Ja Morant (shoulder) on the long-term injury list. With Memphis shorthanded this season, Williams has played admirably in an expanded role, averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.4 minutes across 51 appearances (15 starts).
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Won't play Monday
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Williams (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nets.
Williams had to be helped to the locker room late in overtime of Saturday's loss to Portland due to a back injury. The extent of the issue remains unclear, but Williams' next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Philadelphia.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Exits with back injury Saturday
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Williams exited in overtime of Saturday's 107-100 loss to the Trail Blazers with an apparent back injury, Jonah Dylan of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports. He finished with nine points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 34 minutes.
Williams was helped to the locker room with a few minutes left in overtime and didn't return, so the medical staff will presumably assess his condition ahead of Monday's game against the Nets. While starting in each of the Grizzlies' last six games, Williams has averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.3 steals in 31.2 minutes.
Williams chipped in 27 points (9-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), four rebounds, four assists and three steals over 36 minutes during Thursday's 113-110 win over Milwaukee.
Williams was forced to handle a massive workload due to the absence of John Konchar (quadriceps), Luke Kennard (knee) and others, but he stepped up to the challenge and responded by posting a career-best scoring mark. Williams has handled a bench role most of the season and has racked up just 10 starts, averaging 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in those contests. However, given Memphis' injury problems, it wouldn't be surprising if Williams is trusted into a more significant role following the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Gets chance to start
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Williams is starting Thursday's game against the Bucks.
Williams logged 22 minutes Wednesday in his first action since Jan. 28, and he may be in line for a heavier workload Thursday with John Konchar (quadriceps) ruled out. Williams is averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists through 44 matchups this season.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Expected to play Wednesday
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Williams (hand) is officially listed as questionable but is trending toward playing Wednesday against the Rockets, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
Williams hasn't played since Jan. 28, so if he's cleared as expected, the youngster will presumably be limited. Before his multi-week absence, Williams had carved out a solid bench role for the injury-depleted Grizzlies, averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 20.0 minutes over his prior 13 appearances (one start).
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Listed as questionable
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Williams (hand) is questionable to play Wednesday versus Houston, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Williams has not taken the court since Jan. 28, but he appears to be nearing a return. Memphis commences a back-to-back set Wednesday, with a Thursday contest against Milwaukee giving Williams two opportunities to return to action before the All-Star break.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Likely out Monday
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Williams (hand) is listed as doubtful ahead of Monday's game against the Pelicans.
Williams is in jeopardy of missing his eighth consecutive game due to a left hand contusion. A timetable for his return remains unclear at this point.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Not playing Saturday
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Williams (hand) is out against the Hornets on Saturday.
No surprises here, as Williams was initially listed as doubtful to play, and this will be his seventh straight absence. His next chance to return to the hardwood will come against the Pelicans on Monday.
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Grizzlies' Ziaire Williams: Likely out Thursday
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Williams (hand) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game versus the Bulls.
Williams is expected to miss his sixth straight game Thursday due to a left hand injury. However, being listed as doubtful instead of out is a good indication that Williams is progressing towards a return.
