Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Hornets' Mark Williams throws shade at Lakers after their playoff exit

By Noel Guerra | Last updated May 1, 2025 12:57 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are officially eliminated from the NBA playoffs after their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 Wednesday night.

The Lakers were manhandled throughout this series, with the Wolves' height being the dominating presence. Rudy Gobert had an astounding 24 rebounds to close out Game 5, while the Lakers had no answer for him and the rest of the Wolves players. The Lakers were outrebounded 219 to 195, including 65 to 48 on the glass.

However, the Lakers did have an answer earlier in the regular season, but he is not on the roster. That player is Mark Williams, who was acquired by the Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline for Dalton Knecht.

Then, in a strange turn of events, the trade was rescinded due to a failed physical by the Lakers on Williams. This led to the Lakers not filling the void that was left by Anthony Davis after they dealt him for Luka Doncic. Fast forward to the playoffs, and the Lakers looked like they were missing a center, such as Williams. Williams let the world know about that very subtly.

The Hornets center had a simple tweet after the game that caught the attention of the basketball community.

Mark Williams posted this after the Wolves eliminated the Lakers in 5 games pic.twitter.com/9zv2vduHJh
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2025

Some can say this was made in jest, or maybe even a coincidence, but there is some bad blood at least from Williams' side.

After the trade was rescinded and claimed to be a failed physical, Williams made it clear how he felt about the ordeal. He was confused and distraught after the trade was nixed, but most importantly, he felt disrespected by the Lakers stamping him with that failed physical tag.

Williams' agent, Jeff Schwartz, even came out to defend him when the trade was called off.

"The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical."

Williams was ready to make sure the Lakers knew his feelings when they lost and how much they could have used him in this series.

Williams averaged 14.9 PPG and 10.8 RPG after the All-Star break, while the Lakers used Jaxson Hayes as their starting center for the remainder of the season. However, Hayes was phased out of the starting lineup and rotation altogether in the playoff series. They tried implementing Maxi Kleber in Game 5, despite never even practicing with the team.

The Lakers are in desperate need of a center moving forward. That should be the No. 1 goal this offseason, but they could have had that spot situated if they kept Williams.

Noel Guerra

My name is Noel Guerra. I graduated from West Chester University in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Media Studies with a minor in Journalism. I love the NBA and MLB with a love for sports betting as well.

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