While the Boston Celtics’ title hopes might not entirely hinge on the availability of Robert Williams, not having him nevertheless is a substantial loss.
The bright side? He might not be out as long as initially expected.
Williams underwent a partial left knee meniscectomy that is expected to keep him out for four-to-six weeks. That could allow for him to return at some point during or ahead of the second round of the NBA playoffs, but gutting through an entire round of the postseason without him could create some problems.
But ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski offered reason for optimism on the latest episode of “The Woj Pod.”
"He had the surgery yesterday on that meniscus, and it was really the best-case scenario for Boston that it was not a full tear, it was essentially an injury that is called clipping the meniscus as opposed to doing a repair," Wojnarowski said. "The team is saying four-to-six weeks, my sense is that’s on the conservative side, that there’s real optimism it’s closer to four weeks – maybe even a little less. … The possibility that it’s even less than four weeks is real."
The Celtics’ turnaround this season more or less was predicated on how elite of a defensive team they’ve become, and Williams has a lot to do with that.
In the interim, the Celtics can tread water by playing Al Horford and Daniel Theis more. But the possibility of an earlier than anticipated return for Williams has to be inspiring hope for Boston.
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