When the Boston Celtics expect Robert Williams back from injury
Any news about the Boston Celtics missing one of their most important players isn’t inherently happy news.
That said, things could be a lot worse for the team after losing their rim-protecting ‘final boss’ defensive leader, Robert Williams.
It was announced Wednesday morning that the Cs would be getting Williams back in time for a theoretical NBA Finals matchup, as well as the Eastern Conference Finals matchup they’d need to win to even get there.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the timetable for the return of the ‘Time Lord’:
ESPN Sources: After undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee this morning, Boston Celtics C Robert Williams is expected to return within 4-to-6 weeks – a timetable that could land him back in the lineup as soon as the second-round of Eastern Conference playoffs.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 30, 2022
Keith Smith of Spotrac and Celticsblog provided extra context for Williams’ re-entry back into the starting lineup:
Four weeks would have Rob Williams back towards the end of the first round. But it's likely he'll need some ramp-up time.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 30, 2022
Start of the second round seems feasible, but some point in the second round certainly seems doable.
Best news possible for Boston, all things considered.
The Boston Celtics will rely heavily on Al Horford and Grant Williams to get through Robert Williams’ injury
Without Robert Williams, expect Al Horford and Grant Williams to step up and take on most of his minutes. Daniel Theis now becomes the first big off the bench, and even Luke Kornet may sneak into some playing time as a depth piece.
Grant Williams has the best chance to break out this postseason as an unsung hero considering his timely knock down shooting made possible by a 42% 3-point conversion rate. Let’s hope he, Horford, and the rest of the Cs bigs could hold it down in the absence of the league leader in defensive field goal percentage.