We heard last month that Robert Williams hoped to return to the court by Christmas Day, but the latest word from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggests the Celtics big man could be back even earlier than that. Wojnarowski said during an appearance on NBA Today on Wednesday that Williams has made “great progress” and is getting close to making his season debut (Twitter video link via Dan Greenberg).
“The timeline right now is still potentially 10-to-12 days, but don’t rule out the possibility that Robert Williams wakes up one day and decides he’s ready to return,” Wojnarowski said. “I think we expect he’ll be back before Christmas.”
Here are a few more injury-related notes from around the league:
- Knicks forward Obi Toppin, who left Wednesday’s game in the second quarter with a sore right knee, is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of the injury, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
- Lakers wing Juan Toscano-Anderson will also be undergoing an MRI after spraining his right ankle in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss in Toronto, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Toscano-Anderson has been out of L.A.’s rotation for most of the season and played more minutes (16) on Wednesday than he had since October 23. “It sucks,” head coach Darvin Ham said of the 29-year-old getting hurt while getting a rare opportunity to play a role.
- Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, sidelined since October 30 due to a right ankle injury, began running earlier this week, but there’s still no timeline for his return, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Tate has appeared in just three games this season after signing a new three-year contract with the club in the offseason.
If the playoffs began today, I would have the Boston Celtics as NBA champions. Great chemistry. Tatum, Brown and Smart. Can easily upgrade roster/frontcourt ahead of trade deadline.
I wasn’t a big fan of Boston at start of season, but to this point they are clearly at the top of the league.
wicked.
Tatum, Brown & Smart sure, but let’s not overlook President Brad Stevens & the whole team he put together! Or former Celtics GM Danny Ainge & his draft picks.
Last night it was Grant Williams immediately doing everything which jump-started the Celtics rout of the Suns. Posters love to judge how much a future contract for Grant s/b but, wow, last night he drove, shot threes, boarded, defended right from the start. Go Celtics!
Grant Williams has been playing his role exceptionally good this season. I don’t think he can improve anymore but he surely is peaking at the right moment (for him).