Boston Celtics injury news: Robert Williams III return timeline should excite fans
The Boston Celtics have somehow fallen off as a defensive power in 2022-23 — though they are actually trending back toward being a top point-preventer again — and yet the Cs are still far and away the best-looking team now more than a quarter of the way through the season.
And NBA All-Defensive Second Team Robert Williams III hasn’t played a minute yet. That’s what you call an embarrassment of riches, folks.
Williams, according to Bally Sports’ lead NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, has a timetable between now and January — with Christmas Day seeming like a perfect re-launch point of Boston’s co-defensive anchor in the post:
Scoop B Intel: @ScoopB reports that Celtics' defensive anchor Robert Williams III is nearing his return to the court.
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) December 8, 2022
The Boston Celtics need not worry about disrupting chemistry
At this point, Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla should have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to integrating pieces into his rotation. Everyone he slots into the lineup performs at a level that at least keeps the team competitive in just about every game.
Al Horford off night? No problem, Blake Griffin could step in and space the floor from the center position (and throw down a vintage rim-rattler) to open up a Cs attack that has yet to lose a game with him in the starting lineup. Marcus Smart not in uniform? Malcolm Brogdon can step in as a starter-quality floor general, and Payton Pritchard can seamlessly slide into his role.
Noah Vonleh and Luke Kornet have both proven capable to hold down the pivot off the pine, Sam Hauser has stepped into the role Danilo Gallinari was likely tabbed for, and a motivated Grant Williams is now earning his keep in a contract year.
Add Robert Williams III to this mix, and there’s no reason to think they won’t be just as good as the best of the best, but even better.