Celtics forward Grant Williams has been suspended for one game without pay for an incident that took place in Monday’s game, the NBA announced today in a press release.
Williams, upset with a pair of foul calls during the fourth quarter on Monday in Chicago, was ejected from the game for bumping a referee (video link). Following his ejection, he aimed some choice language at the officials before heading to the locker room.
In today’s announcement, the NBA indicates that Williams’ suspension is for “recklessly making contact with and directing inappropriate language toward a game official.” As a result of the one-game ban, the forward will miss Friday’s game vs. Cleveland, further depleting a Boston frontcourt that’s already missing Robert Williams and Danilo Gallinari.
In his first four games this season, Grant Williams is averaging a career-high 9.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.8 inutes per contest, with a scorching shooting line of .706/.667/.857.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter), Williams will lose $29,698 as a result of the suspension. That’s 1/145th of his 2022/23 salary (approximately $4.3MM). The Celtics will also receive a tax variance credit for $14,849, half the amount of Williams’ lost salary, Marks notes.
I was watching the game and it appeared to me at the time like he said something like “you b***h!” to a female ref while reluctantly leaving the court after bumping into her. Not good.
Rockets need to throw a big bag at this guy next off-season, 4yr $80-85M type shxt
I don’t see the upside in Williams’ game that warrants that type of contract. If the Celtics have to overpay to keep their continuity then maybe, but no team should have to pay that much for a player who’s main skill is effort. Find another one in the draft.
His main skills are shooting & defense but his toughness & effort are def good influences for a guy like Jabari Smith Jr to be around in the locker room. Grant has the playoff exp, the winning mentality & the overall floor game that’s perfect for the young Rockets & they have the $ to spend
When bums like Duncan Robinson and Fournier get 17-20 million a year that number suggested seems fine
Way too much money for Williams. He is a bad rebounder, and he can’t create his own shot.
He’ll be able to rebound well enough. Jabari & Sengun are gonna be very good rebounders & their guards are both good rebounders. As far being a shot creator, they got that handled. The Rockets need shooting, defending, guys with playoff exp & his type of toughness. They got plenty of young shot creators on cheap deals, they can afford to pay for a tough, winner that can knock down 40% from trey. Esp when he’s from Houston
Are you new to the NBA? The market sets the players worth. Joe Harris, Duncan Robinson and Fournier all earn around 18-20 million a year. Williams is as good a shooter as those guys and can play defense which they can’t. He also doesn’t need to be subbed out in a playoff game. 20 a year sounds reasonable
All of those guys are overpaid regardless of what the market dictates….. point is none of those deals have paid off for the teams involved.
If I were Lakers GM, I’d find a way to suspend Westbrook without pay to save luxury tax
Fake injury or similar things
Interesting idea although not sure how exactly that should be done, maybe provoke him to punch a game official.
If I were Sillivan I would comment on every non-lakers article about Lakers. Or Westbrook. Or Davis. Or Lebron. Or Lakers.
Williams is a hothead, constantly complaining about everything and every call. Drama time. To bad I like his game.
He and Tatum are total crybabies. Whining about every single call.
They are such whining crybabies!
The league is sending the Celtics a message. Hopefully it gets through to them!
Oh man, I sure hope so! Good for the league!
Interesting point. Seems like the refs are indeed against the Celtics this year. Maybe if our star Jayson Tatum would not throw his hands up, saying I got fouled after every play, refs would stop this extra pressure on us. Go Celtics!
Celtics turning into a joke. They hired a coach who chokes women and now their players starting fight with women refs. Disgraceful
I can’t even believe it! What a huge joke!
Celtics pleaded with league to suspend him for 5 games
The SILVER LINING for the Celtics here is the opportunity to play someone else. To critically grab some rebounds! We’ve been getting killed on the boards, like giving up tons of offensive rebounds. I would certainly give Blake Griffin 25+ minutes as he just gobbles up rebounds. Griffin certainly made good things quickly happen in his first game with us (preseason).
I’d also get Mfiondu Kabengele some minutes. He provides energy, running the court, rebounding & a lob reality!
Take your chances early is a saying in backgammon. Likely works in building an NBA team. Go Celtics!