2 min read • April 23, 2022
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The Celtics and Nets will both get major reinforcements as the series heads back to Brooklyn with defensive centerpieces Robert Williams and Ben Simmons expected to make their playoff debuts in the coming days.
Williams is intending to play in Game 3 Saturday in a limited capacity in an early return from his left meniscus surgery, while Simmons and the Nets are looking towards his own limited return in Game 4 on Monday night.
While both additions are major boons for each contender, Williams will be more impactful in this series and should make an immediate impact for Boston, according to the ProBasketballDocs.
He has an SIC player health score of 57 in Game 3, while Simmons' SIC player health score is 41 for Game 4.
Williams has multiple advantages on his side that give him the edge over Simmons, and while he will be initially slowed by the surgery on March 30, his SIC Health score could rise to the 80s or 90s by the second round.
He is at center, meaning his movement is less hampered by the recent meniscus injury. Likewise, his chemistry with the Celtics is strong and his role is defined so he will not be expected to. He will work in concert with veteran Al Horford, Defensive Player of The Year Marcus Smart, and elite wing defenders Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to slow down the Nets.
The biggest edge may be the injury itself and that he has spent much more time on the floor in the past year than Simmons, who will have to acclimate to playoff game speed, his new teammates, and a new and yet-defined role all while returning from a back injury that as recently as one month ago immobilized him.
Simmons will take much more time to return to full conditioning as he plays his first professional basketball in 10 months.
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