Celtics big man Robert Williams III out 'at least several weeks' with torn meniscus

The Boston Celtics moved into first place in the Eastern Conference standings via Sunday's 134-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves but suffered a loss in the process when center Robert Williams III went down with a knee injury. 

It was known Sunday night that Williams wouldn't be available for Monday's game at the Toronto Raptors. Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the 24-year-old is on track to "miss several weeks at minimum" with a meniscus tear in his left knee. 

According to ESPN stats, the Celtics are surrendering a league-best 103.9 points per game, and Williams is widely credited for much of the team's defensive successes this spring. He leads all Celtics starters with a 22.24 player efficiency rating and is averaging 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He's shooting 73.6% from the field on the campaign. 

Boston begins the week at 47-28 and tied with the Miami Heat atop the conference standings. Those clubs are, however, only a half game up on both the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. 

The Celtics are scheduled to end the regular season on April 10. Per the timeline, it seems they'll do so with Williams cheering them on as a spectator.