Celtics Center Robert Williams Likely Out Game 6, Here's Why

After a last-second Game 5 loss, the Celtics will need to win in Milwaukee to force a Game 7. They will likely have to do it without Robert Williams once again.

Robert Williams III Injury Update

The Celtics big man has missed the last two games with left knee soreness and is listed as questionable ahead of Game 6.

Our team of Pro Basketball Docs assumed the soreness was related to his early return from the lateral meniscus tear in late March, but head coach Ime Udoka revealed Friday that Williams suffered a left knee bone bruise in Game 3 last Saturday.

Udoka told reporters Williams was injured on this play, when Giannis Antetokounmpo drove and fell into Williams' left knee.

"He got his knee scanned and everything structurally is good." Udoka told reporters after shootaround Friday morning. "Looks fine. The swelling went down but he still had some soreness and pain. Revealed that he has a small bone bruise from collision he took in Game 3. Structurally he's fine from the surgery is just that's where the swelling and soreness came from."

Williams still has a slight chance to play Game 6 because his bone bruise is a direct impact injury, not a hyperextension like Ja Morant's, according to the Pro Basketball Docs. That gives him a quicker return timeline because his return depends solely on swelling and pain tolerance.

If he is available for Game 6, his mobility will be limited and he could be a defensive liability.

Injury Impact on Celtics

Boston has managed a 1-1 record without Williams. Al Horford stepped up big in Game 4 and Daniel Theis saw more of the floor in Game 5.

The Celtics have opted to go small most of the time with Derrick White and Grant Williams playing increased minutes.

In the last two games without Williams, the Celtics have allowed 108 and 110 to the Bucks.

In the first three games with him, they allowed an average of 96.7 points per game.

Celtics vs Bucks Game 6 Odds

The Celtics are 1.5 point underdogs on the road in Game 6 and the over/under is 211, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Celtics are +220 to win the series and +1000 to win the NBA Finals.