clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Robert Williams won’t return for second half vs. Wizards [UPDATE]

Celtics big man left before halftime but started the third quarter. Now, he will not return due aggravating his toe injury.

Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot during the preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on December 18, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Update: Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of the Celtics’ play-in tourney game vs. the Celtics. The Celtics are building up a solid lead in the third quarter and lead by 13, which forced a timeout by Washington. Thompson will get more run at center the rest of the game. Williams finishes with 4 points and 4 boards in 14 minutes.

Update: Williams was able to return and start the second half of the play-in game vs. the Wizards. Unfortunately, he left very early in the third quarter and is back in the locker room again. That can’t be a good sign. We’ll monitor if Williams returns or not. Again, expect a lot of Thompson.

The Boston Celtics can’t catch a break on the injury front. After guard Marcus Smart had an injury scare in the second quarter, Robert Williams III was forced to go to the locker room early before halftime in Tuesday’s play-in tournament game vs. the Washington Wizards. Williams went up for a block and came down bad on one of his legs. He had been dealing with turf toe and was probable entering the contest, so it’s like an aggravation of that injury.

The Wizards have a narrow 54-52 lead at halftime. Smart is back in the game and appears to be fine. Williams is another story, we’ll see what his deal is at halftime and whether or not he’ll be able to return. If Williams can’t come back, that’s a big blow to their interior defense. Boston would likely need to lean on Tristan Thompson for the rest of the game if Time Lord can’t return.