This was about Mark Williams, the Charlotte Hornets’ center who’s become a forgotten man in a sense because of his injury history over the last 12 months. So, his return from a strained tendon in his left foot represented a significant milestone, and a mental pick-me-up for a team besieged with more than its share of player ailments.

The Charlotte Hornets center had just wrapped up his latest practice, continuing ramping up his activity levels as he prepares to return from a strained tendon in his foot, an injury that happened more than two months ago. And the expression on Williams’ face easily gave insight into his immediate thoughts.