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With the sequence tied at 1-1, the Boston Celtics walked into Wells Fargo Heart anticipating a battle in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid had a full recreation underneath his belt following his return from damage, he was awarded the 2022-23 NBA MVP award on the courtroom earlier than the sport, and the Philadelphia crowd was rocking.
Stopping Embiid is an unimaginable process, however slowing him down has been Boston’s important aim. They’ve proven their palms, executed their greatest to defend with out fouling, and despatched double groups when wanted.
In Game 3, the Celtics break up duties on Embiid, with each Marcus Good and Al Horford getting turns, nevertheless it was Grant Williams who took on the matchup for almost all of the competition.
“Embiid is the MVP. An enormous pressure. It’s going take a number of us to attempt to include him,” mentioned Tatum. “You’re not going to cease him. And the issues that Grant does don’t at all times present up within the stat sheet, however he’s extraordinarily useful to our workforce, and I feel it confirmed tonight.”
All through his time in Boston, Williams has performed an vital defensive function. From heart minutes in his rookie season to incomes the Batman nickname for his protection in opposition to Nikola Jokic, he’s made his cash by enjoying huge on protection.
Towards Embiid, he discovered related success. Embiid clearly bought his factors, dominating from the mid-range and feasting on the glass, however Williams and the Celtics stalled him simply sufficient to get the job executed.
Even when that meant getting his head caved in.
“I noticed Grant get his head stepped on by a 300-pound particular person,” mentioned Jaylen Brown. “And to see that stay was loopy. I noticed it in real-time. It was in all probability the craziest factor I’ve seen on a basketball courtroom.”
After bodying Embiid within the publish and slapping the ball away, Williams and Brown dove for it. Embiid adopted. However whereas the 2 Celtics had been on the bottom, Embiid had nowhere to go, and as he was falling backward, he stepped on the again of Williams’ head, planting his face into the hardwood.
Williams instantly clutched his face and was finally taken to the bench, the place blood could possibly be seen dripping down his face.
But just some performs later, he was again within the recreation, guarding Embiid.
He didn’t even notice the severity of the incident till he rewatched the clip after the sport.
“Dang, I actually bought curb-stomped,” mentioned Williams.
A video shortly made the rounds on Twitter of Embiid apologizing to Williams following the play, however there have been no laborious emotions. “It’s the playoffs, brother,” Williams informed Embiid. “It’s what we battle for.”
Williams doubled down on this stance post-game however admitted that his face isn’t feeling too scorching.
“It occurs, man,” mentioned Williams. “He was falling backward, and I’m simply grateful that he didn’t totally lean his weight onto it as a result of he undoubtedly bought me fairly badly, however I feel he felt that he landed on one thing, so he picked his foot up. It hurts slightly bit.”
For Williams, this season has been an extended one. A scorching begin shortly transitioned right into a tough droop within the second half of the season. He was hesitating on the three-point line, turning the ball over when driving, and getting blown previous on protection too simply.
To undergo that following an offseason of fruitless contract negotiations introduced a ton of stress. And with a brand new deal looming, the strain to carry out was at an all-time excessive. However he’s remained cool headed by way of all of it.
“Grant has been nice. Grant has been humble all yr lengthy,” mentioned Brown. “It’s been robust for him. He’s an incredible a part of our workforce. And we’ve challenged him in several methods, in his maturity degree, the flexibility to play his function, the flexibility to lift his degree, and get stops, and do what is required to be executed no matter typically his feelings and his emotions and the way he feels about sure conditions. You may’t ask for nothing higher than that.”
In Boston’s first-round matchup in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks, his enjoying time was scattered. An enormous-time exhibiting in a Sport 3 loss led to two-straight video games of barely touching the courtroom. He helped shut issues out in Sport 6, however was by no means a part of the common rotation.
That each one modified in opposition to the 76ers, as he’s been employed as a major defender on Embiid.
Williams has remained a necessary a part of this Celtics workforce by way of all of the criticism, slumps, and missed free throws. He’s prepared to place his physique on the road if it means getting a win. It’s simply who he’s.
“You see him get his head smashed into the courtroom and get again up with a smile on his face—that’s Grant Williams,” Brown mentioned.
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