2 min read • March 28, 2022
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Celtics big man Robert Williams III reportedly suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and may not return for the playoffs.
Williams suffered the injury in Sunday's 134-112 win over the Timberwolves. He played on it for a while, then exited the game.
Video of the injury play is consistent with a meniscus tear, according to the ProBasketballDocs.
How long Williams is out will depend on the type of surgery he gets, according to the ProBasketballDocs. If he undergoes a full meniscus repair, he won't play until next season. If he has a meniscus trim, the recovery time will be about six weeks and could allow him to return for the start of the finals.
Either way, the 24-year-old big man's absence will be tough to deal with for the surging Celtics. He's had the best year of his young career, averaging 10 points, 9.6 rebound and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game.
Williams is the anchor of the Celtics' league-leading defense and also averaged 3.9 offensive rebounds per game, fourth in the league.
Boston did acquire former Celtics center Daniel Theis at the trade deadline and he will be relied upon to plug the gap on defense.
Theis has averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 14 games with the Celtics this season.
Veteran big man Al Horford will also likely play more minutes with Williams out. The 35-year-old is averaging 10 points, 7.5 boards and 1.4 blocks in 29 minutes per game this season.
The Celtics (47-28) are currently tied for the first seed in the East with two weeks left in the season. They are just a half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers.
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