Celtics big man Robert Williams, who continues to recover from an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in that knee on Monday to promote healing and recovery, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
After Williams underwent the procedure, the Celtics announced on September 23 that he was expected to resume basketball activities in about eight-to-12 weeks. However, Charania suggests that Boston’s starting center is unlikely to return until the second half of the season. That would mean Williams would remain sidelined into the new year — the Celtics will reach the halfway point of their regular season schedule on January 9.
For their part, the Celtics say they don’t anticipate a change in Williams’ recovery timeline, tweets Steve Hewitt of The Boston Herald.
Williams, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Monday, initially underwent surgery on the knee in March after tearing his meniscus. He was able to return to the court less than a month later and played a part in the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals, but he wasn’t at 100% in the postseason. He sat out five games in the second and third rounds of the playoffs and reportedly required extensive treatment as he dealt with fluid build-up.
As Charania notes, the hope was that Williams would be OK by the fall, but he experienced discomfort when he began ramping up for training camp, prompting him and the team to decide he required another procedure.
Williams is entering the first season of a four-year extension he signed with Boston a year ago. He’ll earn a base salary of approximately $10.7MM, but will almost certainly miss out on a series of bonuses that he can only trigger by appearing in at least 69 games this season.
As for the Celtics, they’ll get by during Williams’ absence in the first half by leaning more heavily on frontcourt players like Al Horford, Grant Williams, Blake Griffin, Luke Kornet, and Noah Vonleh.
The Celtics are the opposite of the Spurs…
In chasing 1 title they may have seen the best days of their big man… Tim Duncan has more rings than 1… Pop and co would of sat Williams and let Horford man the post…
With what they did to Thomas it’s not surprising they’ve struggled in free agency despite the legacy factor…
He’s going to be that guy isn’t he? Absolute dynamite when on the court but it is becoming clear he won’t be a guy you can count on physically. Too bad.
I got ripped apart on this forum for speaking the truth about Robert Williams. Talented. His knee’s can only take so much.
The extended run he had last year, has ramifications moving forward this year in terms of his playing availability.
Boston did not adequately prepare for this during the offseason. Would love to see the Celtics get with Toronto to acquire Thad Young. Multi-role frontcourt player who impacts on both ends. Great off bench, or as a part-time starter.
Celtics gonna have to make a move. Gallinari is out. Robert Williams out for months. Grant Williams not happy because he got low-balled on his extension offer.
Horford (almost 40 now), Grant Williams (unhappy), Blake Griffin (washed), Luke Kornet (journeyman) and Noah Vonleh (journeyman) is your rotation of bigs.
No one ripped you apart dude. No need to be so sensitive. You just said the same thing over and over again and occasionally someone replied.
I must’ve missed it … I also thought it was crazy that they were playing him last year during the playoffs. The number of times he had to drain his knee was insane.
When he’s right and he’s able to stay foul free, his defense was starting to approach elite.
Derrick Favors maybe could suit up green?
White side ,?
Maybe give San Antonio a call and see what it is gonna take to get Jakob Poeltl. Rim protector and low-post scorer. More of a permanent type solution.
If Boston is to be a title contender. They will have to make a trade. Nobody on the free agent wire can help.
They aren’t going to make a trade.
Guess they aren’t a title contender. Glad that’s settled.
Are you going to call Vegas and let them know, or should I?
No Trade = No Title Contender for Boston
Who’s guarding Embiid tonight???? 40-year old Al Horford??? Or you gonna have 6’6 Grant Williams do it after you didn’t want to pay the man???? Blake Griffin??? Really??? Blake Griffin???
@ Very
FYI, Horford has been very effective guarding Embiid. The bigger question is can the 76ers guard all the Celtics’ 3 pt shooters well enough to get an upset tonight.
“All” the Celtics three-point shooters???? You counting Marcus Smart as three-point shooter????
Are you guys really arguing about who is going to win the first game of the season?
Both Philly and Boston could go deep this year. Game 1 means zero. This aint football.
@ Curtisrowe
At least it’s (finally) the reg season. And ofc, all reg season wins and losses mean more than zero as far as seeding.
@ Very:
Last year the Celtics shot 35.6% as a team from three, but more importantly were #1 in opponents’ 3 pt FG% at 33.9%. Williams, Pritchard, and Hauser all shot over 40% in the reg season, and in the playoffs, Horford shot 48%, Tatum and Williams shot 39.3%, Brown 37.3%, and Smart 35%. New 6th man Brogdan is at 37.6% for his career. (The only 76ers players to shoot 40%+ from 3 last year that are still on the team are Maxey and Niang).
So yes, “All” the Celtics’ 3 pt shooters is accurate!
Yeah, I know, you said that. They aren’t title contenders.
We got it. You don’t have to say it anymore.
It’s cool how so many people on here know how it’s all going to play out.
Way too soon to say their rotation with Rob out can’t cut it. And Al is a youthful 36!
I am hearing that Danny Ainge is seeking at least 1 first-rounder and 2 second-round picks for Jarred Vanderbilt. If Boston is involved then Pritchard, and an unprotected first-rounder, and a second-round pick should be enough to get it done.
I am now moving Atlanta and Toronto in front of Boston in my Eastern Conference Power Rankings until Boston addresses the hole in their frontcourt.
Their hole in the front Court will be addressed in January or February. Won’t cost a first round pick either.
@ Very
Please post your preseason Power Rankings, with your reasons for the rankings.
Ok.