PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns centre Mark Williams is expected to miss a big chunk of the upcoming season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The team made the announcement on Friday, saying Williams had surgery on Thursday and that the injury happened during an offseason workout. The Suns added that a timetable for his return would be established at a later date, but a torn labrum usually requires several months of recovery.

The seven-foot-one Williams signed a $38 million, three-year deal to return to the Suns after averaging 11.8 points and eight rebounds in his first season in the desert. Williams — who played in college at Duke — has battled injuries throughout his four-year NBA career and his 60 games played last season were a career high.

Without Williams, the Suns will likely lean on Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach to play the bulk of the minutes at center this season.