Celtics big man Robert Williams has undergone an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies from his left knee and to address swelling in that knee, the team announced today (Twitter link).
While the surgery had been expected, the Celtics revealed that the recovery timeline will be longer than initially anticipated. According to the club, Williams is expected to resume basketball activities in approximately eight-to-12 weeks. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously estimated a four-to-six week timetable.
Williams enjoyed a breakout season in 2021/22, establishing new career highs in PPG (10.0), RPG (9.6), BPG (2.2), games played and started (61), field goal percentage (73.6%), and several other categories. He also helped anchor the NBA’s top defense.
Williams initially underwent surgery on the knee in March after tearing his meniscus. He was able to return to the court less than a month later and played a part in the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals, though he wasn’t at 100% in the postseason. The 24-year-old sat out five games in the second and third rounds of the playoffs and reportedly required extensive treatment as he dealt with fluid build-up.
The decision was made this fall for Williams to undergo another procedure when he began his ramp-up process and experienced some discomfort in the knee. Based on the timeline announced today by the Celtics, it sounds like he’ll miss at least the first month or two of the regular season.
In Williams’ absence, Boston will lean on big men Al Horford and Grant Williams, with others like Luke Kornet, Noah Vonleh, Mfiondu Kabengele, and Luka Samanic vying for roster spots and playing time.
The Celtics also confirmed today (via Twitter) that Danilo Gallinari underwent surgery to repair his torn left ACL. They didn’t announce a projected recovery timeline for the forward, but the expectation is that he’ll miss most or all of the 2022/23 season.
Welp. Celtics Summer of Fun continues with Time Lord now out until January????? A lost offseason for the frontcourt.
Good thing the playoffs aren’t played in January.
The Celtics decision to allow Robert Williams to go “hard” on his knee’s during the Finals run last year means that he will be on the shelf most of this year. His effectiveness will be HIGHLY limited this year when he does play. He was big for the Celtics last year. Not gonna be a factor this year. Ouch!!
The Celtics medical training staff is questionable at best. Isaiah Thomas?????
Thanks Dr. Very Barry.
Milwaukee had a great big 3 of Kareem/Oscar/Bobby Dandridge but Oscar was on his last leg (this was literally the last game of his career) & Kareem (who was squarely in his prime & is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time) got outplayed by Dave Cowens at home in this Finals gm7, 1 of the biggest games of his storied career. Great series (the game before this 1 is 1 of the greatest in nba history) & definitely a great game for Cowens & the C’s… link to youtube.com
Nets are going to be 1 seed in regular season
That’s what was projected last year… I’ll believe it when I see it. Feels like that 90s GS team with Hardaway, Webber, Spree, and Mullins; looked like they should be incredible… but nothing ever really happened.
So many things wrong with this analogy smh
Dude, that team would have been amazing if they hadn’t traded Webber… coincidently a Gugliotta and 3 first is pretty much what the Nets were looking for in a Durant trade. But it didn’t happen. Pre season is pre season and the Nets still aren’t actually any better than they were last year.
the nets are much better than they were last year. (on paper)
The Celtics need to sign two out of melo, Aldridge, Dwight, or boogie.
I also wouldn’t hate a trade built around Derick white for Harrison Barnes.
I don’t think they need to sign any of them. I think a good pickup would be Hassan Whiteside. That will be a solid pickup to replace Robert Williams
Harrison Barnes would be a very solid addition to the Celtics roster. Not sure what it would take to get him.
Trade Derrick White? Why? Celts have established our style of play & White is a perfect fit. Bringing in those other guys would change our game totally & we’d be starting at scratch. Just keep what we have. Go Celtics!
boston going thru it
Brad Stevens ups his meds for the 2nd time in 24 hours.
Rob knows what’s up, he ain’t coming back at all, he done with this circus
You gotta reign it in man. At this point everyone knows you’re just trolling. Change your user name maybe?
If I was trolling you wouldn’t keep responding but you do cause deep down you know the real. But it’s all good, you can keep supporting them clowns. Just don’t go pulling a mazzulla and start choking them ladies.
People respond to trolls, I think the phrase is “feeding them”. People know they shouldn’t…but they can’t help themselves. And that reaction is what I think makes trolls troll? I don’t think you’re a troll, I just think Brad Stevens must have touched you while you were sleeping or something.
I mean, I am trolling and you keep responding so…
@stonk I really hope you’re trolling for your sake.
Before Boston went on a 26-6 run during the second half of last season it was a circus at times. Remember Marcus Smart calling out Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for hogging the ball.
Udoka will be missed. Joe Mazzulla is in over his head.
Celtics no longer a Top 4 seed in the East.
Oh.