While the Celtics play the Trail Blazers on Sunday in Portland, they won’t see a familiar face on the court once again. Robert Williams III continues to deal with injury issues, and the latest setback will have him miss likely the rest of the season.
The Blazers announced that Williams underwent an arthroscopic procedure to address inflammation in his left knee. While he’s expected to make a full recovery, he will miss the next four-to-six weeks. Considering the NBA regular season ends April 13, the procedure likely means he’s done for the year unless the Blazers make the playoffs.
Williams, if he doesn’t play again, will finish with 20 games (three starts) played on the year. He’s put up averages of 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 assists in 17.6 minutes per game. When he did see the court, Williams flashed his talent. But it’s just that the big man hasn’t been able to stay consistently healthy.
The injury news is again a blow for Williams. He played in just six games during the 2023-24 season due to season-ending knee surgery that knocked him out. Even this year, Williams dealt with ailments that ultimately meant he didn’t see the court with any regularity.
Boston included Williams in the Jrue Holiday trade right before training camp of the 2023-24 season. Williams has shown he can be a difference-maker, including when he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team for the 2021-22 season. But since that breakout season, he’s played in just 61 combined games in three years from 2022-25.
The Blazers have multiple options at the center spot with Deandre Ayton and first-round pick Donovan Clingan on the roster. Considering Williams was already in trade rumors ahead of this February’s deadline, the center will be a likely trade candidate throughout this summer. Williams has one year left at a $13.3 million salary on his four-year contract he originally signed with the Celtics.
