When the Portland Trail Blazers take the court on opening night, Robert Williams III will not be in the lineup. The former Boston Celtic is still ramping up for his return after a knee injury limited him to 20 tilts in the 2024-25 campaign.
As the Trail Blazers prepare for their matchup against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Williams's official designation on their injury report is "return to competition reconditioning."
That the seven-year veteran is unavailable for opening night should not come as a surprise. At media day in Portland, the 28-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana, shared that he had yet to get cleared for full contact.
The former All-Defensive Second Team Selection's career has been a mixture of highlight-reel plays at both ends of the court and the physical and mental anguish of injuries and arduous recovery processes.
"You know it's tough," voiced Williams at media day. "Injuries aren't easy for anyone. As soon as I'm back on the court, moving and feeling like my old self, it goes away. I've been through a couple [of] injuries. I know the ins and outs. I learned that you can't do it alone. That's when you start going the other way."
Fortunately for the former Boston Celtics big man, who continues to persevere, he is again well on his way to a return to the court.
The latest on Robert Williams's recovery
After Monday's practice in Portland, Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups shared that the Time Lord was a participant in that day's practice. So, while he isn't ready for opening night, when his team hosts the Timberwolves, he appears to be trending in the right direction.
When Williams was in the lineup last season, he averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 assists per contest. That production came while logging 17.6 minutes of floor time.
The 27th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft arrived in Portland as a part of the trade that brought Jrue Holiday to Boston. Since then, along with injuries, Williams has dealt with constant rumors about the franchise rerouting him.
To this point, the former Texas A&M Aggies star has remained rooted in the Pacific Northwest. However, he is on an expiring $13.3 million contract. If Williams can stay healthy, he will become an enticing option for championship contenders around the Association. Being back in that spotlight could help raise his value and land him a more lucrative deal in the offseason.