9:46am: The Celtics have provided an official update on Williams, announcing that he underwent a successful partial left knee meniscectomy and confirming that he’s expected to return in about four-to-six weeks (Twitter links).
7:41am: Robert Williams underwent surgery this morning on the torn meniscus in his left knee, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports that the Celtics big man is expected to return within about four-to-six weeks. There’s optimism his return could fall on the shorter end of that timeline, Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter).
While Williams will, of course, miss the rest of the regular season, there’s a chance he could play again in the postseason, especially if Boston advances to the second round. The Eastern Conference Semifinals will begin between April 30 and May 3, which is at least a month away.
As we noted when Williams was first diagnosed with a torn meniscus, the recovery timeline for the injury can vary significantly depending on the severity of the tear and how it’s treated. Jaren Jackson Jr. missed most of last season due to the injury, while James Wiseman and Collin Sexton are on similar timetables this year. However, the injury costs some players only weeks rather than months — for instance, Didi Louzada is nearing a return after undergoing meniscus surgery in early February.
A four-to-six week projection is even more aggressive than Louzada’s timeline, but it’s not out of the question. If Williams is able to make it back for the Celtics and play anywhere near the level he was at prior to the injury, it would provide a significant boost to the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
The Celtics have the NBA’s best record since the start of February and Williams has played a major role in their recent success, anchoring the league’s top-ranked defense and emerging as a strong candidate for an All-Defensive nod. He has averaged 10.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 2.2 BPG with an impressive .736 FG% in 61 games (29.6 MPG) this season.
Williams is under contract for four more seasons beyond this one, so the Celtics will take his long-term health into account as they determine if and when he’s able to play this spring.
TimeLord is way too valuable to the Celtics for years to come to risk him coming him back this playoff season, particularly at less than full strength.
What are you talking about? If they are even close to winning a title play him as much and as soon as you can. Who knows where they’ll be a season from now.
Yes, potentially destroy his career to get to the second round. That’s the spirit.
It’s a turn meniscus . I was walking 3 days after my surgery and running within 10, and I’m not a world class athlete.
Four weeks is super unrealistic. Zion and JJJ obviously took way longer, but I’d be shocked if RWIII is back in under 6 weeks. Louzada is a few inches shorter and nearly 50 pounds lighter: he’s missed just shy of two months, the long end of the initial 6–8 week timetable.
I’m not a doctor, but I’ve had the surgery RWIII is having twice: on both of my knees. If it was a debridement then 6 weeks is more realistic, but if they did a repair then you can forget that. In that case, it’s more likely he’s done for the year.
Side note: Time Lord is the WORST nickname in the NBA. That one needs to die a fiery death.
Agreed on the last point
The fact that that horrible nickname somehow managed to stick is even more embarrassing for American culture than the Chris Rock/Will Smith incident
A nickname for a non superstar basketball player is a huge black spot on American Culture. Honestly may be one of the worst atrocities ever committed
I agree. Being exposed to the nickname “timelord” is possibly the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life, and I lost both legs and one arm in a boating accident.
Nicknames and basketball go hand in hand for stars and non stars alike. Nothing wrong with a roleplayer having a nickname. Chris “Birdman” Anderson, Bigshot Bob Horry, Stacey “The Plastic Man” Augmon, “The Big Nasty” Corliss Williamson, heck even “Medical” Bill Cartwright. All great vintage nicknames on good non star players.
Time Lord is one of the best nicknames I’ve heard. It fits him because he seemed to not care about deadlines or being punctual up until this year.
I agree, it’s unique much better than nicknames then the initial nicknames like LBJ, AD or KD.
& me thinking that the time lord is Dr Who, right? SMH
That is one optimistic timeline. I would not count on it.
Maybe they just want to head fake playoff opponents into preparing for him.