After what looks as if an eternity, it could seem that Robert Williams is about to make his season debut for the Boston Celtics once they face off towards the Orlando Magic on Friday, December 16, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Boston Celtics All-Defensive middle Robert Williams will make his season debut Friday vs. the Orlando Magic, sources inform @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 15, 2022
In March of this yr, Williams was identified with a meniscus tear in his left knee, forcing him to have surgical procedure to restore the difficulty. Fortunately, the highly-impactful middle returned to the rotation mid-way by the primary spherical of the playoffs, though he clearly struggled with health and recreation sharpness. Issues went from dangerous to worse for Williams over the summer time when it was reported that he could be present process a second surgical procedure on his knee, and has been rehabbing from that surgical procedure ever since.
With out Williams within the rotation, the Celtics have slowly developed their protection all through the opening months of the brand new season and presently sit 8th in the NBA for defensive rating. Nevertheless, with the addition of Williams, a 2022 All-Defensive middle, Boston’s protection will doubtless kick up a gear. Moreover, regardless of his extended absence, Williams returns to a Celtics group that presently leads the NBA with a 22-7 document, courtesy of a league-leading offense that’s placing up 116.8 factors per 100 possessions.
In his first full season as a starter, Williams skilled a breakout yr, averaging 10.0 factors, 9.6 rebounds, and a pair of.2 blocks whereas capturing 73.6 p.c from the sphere. Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that it’s unlikely we’ll see Williams return to that degree of play within the quick future as he continues to work in direction of being in recreation form, that means we’re almost definitely going to see the high-flying huge man working below a minutes restriction for the foreseeable future — one thing which is sensible because the Celtics proceed to maintain one eye on the post-season.
Nonetheless, Williams’ return will likely be greeted with optimism and pleasure, as for the primary time this season; we’ll doubtless see a considerably full-strength roster take to the court docket as Boston seems to beat a Magic group that has been on a tear in current video games.
