Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
Williams underwent successful surgery Monday to reconstruct a torn ligament in his right knee after he sustained a patellar dislocation and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
This was expected, but it's encouraging to hear the oft-injured big man's surgery was successful. Williams averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game over his six appearances with the Trail Blazers before suffering the injury. In his stead, Toumani Camara, Moses Brown and Jabari Walker are candidates for increased roles behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Requires season-ending surgery
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Williams (knee) is expected to undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Williams sustained a right knee injury Sunday against the Grizzlies, and after evaluating a few different options, the big man will ultimately season-ending surgery to address the matter. He's expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The 26-year-old averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game over six appearances with his new team before suffering his injury. Toumani Camara, Moses Brown and Jabari Walker could all see upticks in playing time as the Trail Blazers look to replace their top frontcourt reserve.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Facing multi-month absence
Rotowire
Williams will require surgery to address bone and ligament damage to his right kneecap, and the center could be sidelined for anywhere from 2-to-3 months to the rest of the season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
According to Charania, Williams could be headed for season-ending surgery unless he opts for a cleanup procedure, which would still entail a multi-month absence. Williams previously underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last season and received platelet-rich plasma injections to aid his recovery. Even though Williams' latest injury is to his other knee, it's still yet another discouraging development for his long-term health outlook. With Williams out for at least the 2023 portion of the Trail Blazers' schedule and most likely well beyond that, fantasy managers in most redraft leagues can probably feel comfortable with dropping him.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Slated for surgery
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Williams (knee) will need surgery, but it's unclear what kind of procedure is necessary or how long he'll be sidelined, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
This is a brutal blow for Williams, who's battled knee injuries throughout his career. Regardless of what type of surgery he opts for, it's safe to assume Williams will be sidelined until at least Christmas, if not longer, but further updates will be provided as necessary. In Williams' absence, Toumani Camara, Moses Brown and Jabari Walker are candidates for increased roles behind starting center Deandre Ayton.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Williams won't return to Sunday's game against the Grizzlies due to a right knee injury.
Williams went to the locker room in the second half of Sunday's matchup and was ruled out in the closing minutes of the game. He tallied five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 FT) and three rebounds in 11 minutes before his departure. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Williams (rest) isn't listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
Williams took a seat Monday for rest purposes, but as expected, the big man will return to action Wednesday. Across three appearances with Portland, he's averaging 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in 23.0 minutes per game.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Unavailable Monday
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Williams won't play Monday against the Raptors due to rest, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Williams didn't play much during preseason action due to a lingering knee injury, but he suited up for each of Portland's first three regular-season games, averaging 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game. Monday's contest is the second night of a back-to-back set, so it's safe to presume Williams will likely be sidelined for at least one matchup of Portland's back-to-backs moving forward. In Williams' absence, Moses Brown, Toumani Camara and Jabari Walker are all candidates for increased minutes off the bench.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Suiting up Wednesday
Rotowire
Williams (knee) isn't on the injury report for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Clippers.
Williams is set to play Wednesday after missing the team's last three preseason contests due to a knee injury. After being traded from Boston this offseason, Williams is expected to serve as Deandre Ayton's backup at center.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Hopeful for regular season
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Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said Wednesday that he expects Williams (knee) to be available for the team's regular-season opener against the Clippers on Oct. 25, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Williams has missed Portland's last three preseason contests while dealing with a knee injury. However, it appears his absence was merely precautionary, and he should be good to go for the start of the regular season.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Remains out
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Williams (knee) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Suns, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Williams saw action in only one preseason contest and will now set his sights on getting healthy for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. He's in line to open the year as the team's backup center behind Deandre Ayton (rest).
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Out once again
Rotowire
Williams (knee) is out for Saturday's game against the Jazz, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Williams missed Thursday's game against the Suns with the same knee injury after a collision with Jerami Grant in practice earlier this week. His next chance to play will come Monday against the Suns.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Ruled out with knee issue
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Williams (knee) will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Suns, according to Portland reporter Danny Marang.
Williams banged knees with Jerami Grant during practice, and it sounds like he's dealing with a contusion. Williams' next chance to play will be Saturday against the Jazz.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Set to debut Thursday
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Williams (rest) will make his preseason debut Thursday against the Suns, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Williams sat out Tuesday's exhibition game against the New Zealand Breakers for rest purposes, but he'll make his team debut Thursday. He'll likely serve as the primary backup at center behind Deandre Ayton during the 2023-24 campaign.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Expected to sit out Tuesday
Rotowire
Head coach Chauncey Billups said Williams is "fine" but likely won't play in Tuesday's exhibition match against the New Zealand Breakers, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Williams doesn't appear to have suffered an injury but is set to sit out Tuesday's exhibition. His next chance to suit up will be Thursday's preseason matchup with Phoenix.
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Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Traded to Portland
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Williams and Malcolm Brogdon were traded to Portland by Boston on Sunday in exchange for Jrue Holiday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Boston will also send a 2024 first-round pick and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick to Portland. Williams, who was slated for a reduced workload after the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis this offseason, will now get a fresh start in Portland but will likely form a timeshare with Deandre Ayton to start 2023-24. This may not be a worst-case scenario for Williams, who's struggled to play heavy minutes in recent years while battling lingering knee issues. Williams should remain an elite source of blocks even in limited minutes, but his overall fantasy value certainly takes a hit with the trade.
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Celtics' Robert Williams: Productive in limited action
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Williams chipped in 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds and one block over 17 minutes during Saturday's 104-103 victory over the Heat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Williams started the first two games of the series, but he's operated off the bench since. Overall, he's averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game over the six games. It's unlikely he plays more than 20 minutes during Game 7, but he's proven capable of submitting quality production in limited action.
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Celtics' Robert Williams: Logs just 18 minutes
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Williams totaled six points (3-3 FG), four rebounds, one assist and one block over 18 minutes during Thursday's 110-97 victory over Miami in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Williams was used sparingly in the win, logging limited time as the Celtics took control early. Despite the limited minutes, Williams certainly had an impact, helping keep the likes of Jimmy Butler (14 points) and Bam Adebayo (16 points) in check. The series will now head back to Miami, where the Celtics will look to continue their momentum, trying to become the first team to ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit.
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Celtics' Robert Williams: Coming off bench Sunday
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Williams will not start Sunday's Game 3 against the Heat.
In an attempt to amp up offensive production, head coach Joe Mazzulla has decided to move Williams back to the bench in favor of teammate Derrick White. Despite making all 11 of his shot attempts over the last two games, Williams' lack of outside shooting and ability to get out in transition makes this move sensible for Boston as it works toward turning the series around.
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Celtics' Robert Williams: Perfect from field in loss
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Williams logged 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 23 minutes during Friday's 111-105 loss to the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Williams didn't miss a single shot from the field but also contributed on the defensive end, racking up multiple blocks for the fourth time over his last eight playoff appearances. The big man has also produced on offense, scoring in double digits in three of his last four starts.
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Celtics' Robert Williams: Strong in Thursday's start
Rotowire
Williams produced 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 28 minutes during Thursday's 95-86 victory over the 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Williams moved into the starting lineup Thursday, ending with a team-best plus-18. While his stats were serviceable, his impact on the game far outweighed his tangible production. The series will now head back to Boston for Game 7, a matchup in which Williams is likely to start once again.
