Celtics Get Huge Robert Williams Boost Ahead of Playoffs

Getty Robert Williams, Boston Celtics

Ever since Robert Williams left the Boston Celtics game during the team’s 134-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 27, fans have been walking on eggshells when discussing his potential availability during the playoffs.

Then, on March 28, ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Williams had suffered a meniscus tear, and news began to circulate that there were multiple recovery timelines depending on the injury’s severity.

However, on March 30, the Celtics got a huge boost to their playoff chances. Williams underwent surgery and is expected to re-join the Celtics in the next 4-to-6 weeks, which should see him return to the rotation towards the end of the first round of the playoffs, or the start of the second round, assuming Boston makes it that far, per Wojnarowski. 

It’s worth noting that Williams’ return date is the better of the two recovery outcomes originally outlined, as the other would have seen the breakout center sidelined until next season. Boston will now feel confident about embarking on a deep playoff run, assuming Williams has no setbacks to his recovery, and that the team avoids any further injuries to their core rotation.

Celtics Had Been Preparing For The Worst

Boston has had its fair share of injury issues in recent years, so when Williams went down, it was logical to assume the worst. Of course, without the bouncy big man patrolling the paint, there were legitimate questions surrounding the sustainability of the Celtics’ league-leading defense.

Yet, Ime Udoka sounded confident during a recent press conference and noted how he and his coaching staff would be spending the final few games of the regular season experimenting with lineups and rotations.

It will be definitely looking at different rotations and what we like and don’t like, but we kind of know what we had early in the season as far as small-ball lineups, but just to see how Daniel mixes in with Al or possibly Grant and look at possibly those combinations,” Udoka said