Boston Celtics: The good, the bad, and the ugly from crushing Game 4 loss

The good from the Boston Celtics: Robert Williams’ impact

Robert Williams may have been the best player on the court during Game 3 and continued that reputation in this contest. In 31 minutes, he recorded seven points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out four assists, swatted two shots, and nabbed a steal.

Golden State is afraid to challenge the big man at the rim as he expertly uses his unique combination of length and athleticism to contest anything around the basket. He made a terrific block on an Andrew Wiggins drive during this game, a microcosm of his effectiveness all night.

His quick passing also adds another element to the Celtics’ offense. He’s great at making the correct read and doing it with pace, not allowing the offensive flow to slip up when he catches the ball. With the Warriors sending lots of help on simple drives from the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Williams can often spot the open shooter in the corner.

Unfortunately, it looked like he tweaked his knee once again with about five minutes remaining. Who knows if the game ends any differently if he’s able to play the rest of the quarter. More importantly, he’ll need to get around-the-clock treatment to be ready for a pivotal Game 5 on Monday.

Boston looks their best with Robert Williams as the only big on the floor, so look for them to continue to utilize this lineup if he’s healthy and effective heading into their next outing.