Williams has had knee problems for the last few months
The team announced that Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics’ starting center, will be available for Game 4 against the Miami Heat on Monday night. This was just a few minutes before tipoff. Williams missed Game 3 due to persistent soreness in the left knee. Marcus Smart, Boston’s guard, will not be available because of a sprained ankle that he sustained in Saturday’s defeat.
Williams had surgery in March to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. He did not return to the court until Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets. However, his return was short-lived as he sustained a bone injury in his same knee in Game 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Williams was unable to play in the last four games against Bucks but was cleared to return for the Eastern Conference finals. He was then able to get ready for the two first games in Miami. It is not known if Williams suffered any injuries during Game 2 or if he continues to suffer from pain from previous injuries.
The Celtics fell behind 2-1 after losing Game 3. In any event, it was a bad decision to miss him. Boston will have a boost in their frontcourt if Williams is available. Williams has blocked five shots in each of the first two games. When Williams is healthy, opponents can’t attack the basket the same way. Williams, on the other hand, is a major lob threat that gives the Celtics an offensive rebounder and vertical option around their basket.
Smart was already out of Game 1 due to a midfoot injury. As the Celtics fell to the Eastern Conference finals, they were greatly missing his playmaking and defensive presence. His ankle was injured in Game 3’s second half, but he returned to the game shortly after. Ime Udoka, the Celtics coach, said that Smart’s ankle was still swelling before tipoff. In Smart’s absence, they’ll need to rely on Payton Pritchard and Derrick White as guards.
