Robert Williams injury update: Celtics big man’s absence was huge against Bam Adebayo and Heat in Game 3


Sidelined with sore left knee, Celtics starting center Robert Williams III missed Boston’s 109-103 Game 3 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Without Williams in the middle, the Heat feasted inside the paint scoring 46 points. Heat all-around big man Bam Adebayo especially took advantage of Williams’ absence, scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 boards to finish with a double-double.

Adebayo’s 31 points were the most he has scored in the entire series thus far and is more than double what he scored in Game 1 and Game 2 combined. Surprisingly, Adebayo only scored 10 points in Game 1 and six in Game 2. Notably, Williams played in both games.

Williams’ impact doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard, but he’s a key part of the Bostons’ defensive schemes.

He is their best rim protector, able to react quickly on the fly and use his length to annoy opponents. His size and wingspan are also key in Boston’s cup. Through the first two games of the series, Williams has had five blocks and 13 rebounds.

Williams underwent knee surgery in March and has been dealing with nagging pain for quite some time. He missed games in both the first and second rounds and has now also missed a game in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If Williams remains sidelined, Boston will have to do a better job of making up for his absence. Otherwise, Adebayo and the Heat could go back to punishing them inside.

Here’s what we know about Williams’ injury.

What is Robert Williams III’s injury?

According to an official announcement on March 30, Williams underwent a partial meniscectomy of his left knee and was given four to six weeks to return.

After missing the remainder of the regular season and the first two games of the Celtics’ first-round matchup with the Nets, Williams returned in Game 3 of the first round.

Williams played in five straight playoff games before being ruled out of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with left knee soreness. A “little blowout” also kept Williams sidelined for Games 5 and 6.

Williams was booked for Game 7 but did not end up playing as the Celtics chose to be cautious and not disrupt the momentum they had already created before the matchup. And now, he has also missed Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

“He’s seven weeks post-op right now and two weeks since the bone bruise happened and that brought him back,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said before Game 3.

“Obviously he had to miss some games because of that, and now with the alternate-day games, he’s not getting the rest that he initially had with those three-day breaks. So some natural pain and swelling would occur soon after surgery.” .”

Will Robert Williams III play in Game 4 against the Heat?

The Celtics have yet to provide an update on Williams’ status for Game 4 against the Heat on Monday. Celtics coach Ime Udoka told reporters after Game 3 that Williams is still dealing with his injury and his status for the remainder of the postseason is uncertain.

If Williams can’t play in Game 4, Udoka has his options at center. He started Daniel Theis in Game 3, but Udoka could also go small and start Grant Williams.

Celtics vs Heat Series Schedule

Game 4 of this Eastern Conference Finals matchup will kick off on Monday, May 23 at 8:30 pm ET from the TD Garden in Boston. ABC will broadcast the game with ESPN’s Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy on the call.

Here is the complete schedule for the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals.

Date Match Time (ET) television channel
may 17th Game 1: Heat 118, Celtics 107
may 19 Game 2: Celtics 127, Heat 102
May 21th Game 3: Heat 109. Celtics 103
may 23 game 4 8:30 pm ABC
25 of May game 5* 8:30 pm ESPN
may 27th game 6* 8:30 pm ESPN
May 29 game 7* 8:30 pm ESPN

*If necessary




Reference-www.sportingnews.com

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