Celtics don't expect Robert Williams to play in first round

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III is unlikely to play in the first round of the playoffs. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics preparing as if Robert Williams III 'won't be there for the first round'

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/6/22

The Boston Celtics enter their final three games of the regular season with some uncertainty as far as where they'll be seeded in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They know that they'll avoid the Play-In Tournament, and it appears that the Miami Heat will secure the top seed, as they sit 2.5 games ahead of the trio of the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.

With three games of separation between the Boston/Milwaukee/Philadelphia grouping and the fifth-place Toronto Raptors though, it looks like the Celtics will finish with the No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 seed. Regardless of which team they end up playing in the opening round of the postseason, fans can probably rule out rising star center Robert Williams for the matchup.

Ime Udoka said that Rob Williams stayed in Boston to "help expedite the process" of his rehab.

Udoka also said that Williams hasn't been ruled out for the first round, but that the team is preparing as if Williams "won't be there for the first round."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 6, 2022

Udoka will likely be tasked this week with attempting to balance a strategy of keeping his players fresh following a long regular season heading into the playoffs, while earning the best matchup possible in the opening round. Boston closes the regular season with a critical, and tough, three-game slate against the Chicago Bulls (45-33) on Wednesday, Bucks (48-30) on Thursday and Memphis Grizzlies (55-23) on Sunday.

It was reported one week ago that Williams was expected to return in four to six weeks, which could put him in back in the fold at the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals. "Time Lord" suffered the injury during a late-March victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Williams is averaging career highs this season in points (10.0), rebounds (9.6), blocks (2.2), assists (2.0) and minutes per game (29.6), while also shooting a career-best 73.6% from the field and 72.2% from the free-throw line. His 2.2 blocks per contest have him in second place in the NBA, trailing only Jaren Jackson Jr. (2.3).

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