:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71430184/1393718607.0.jpg)
The Boston Celtics are hoping to get back to the NBA Finals after a disappointing finish to last season’s campaign. The Celtics have had some big offseason issues, with most notable being head coach Ime Udoka’s season-long suspension. Center Robert Williams, who played through a knee injury last season, had surgery to clean up the issue ahead of the 2022-23 season. Here are the latest updates.
Robert Williams injury updates
December 15 update - Williams will make his season debut Friday against the Magic, according to multiple media reports.
December 9 update - Williams is now listed on the day-to-day on the injury report, so he’s set to be close to a return to the court.
October 18 update - Williams received a PRP injection in his knee and is targeting a return to the court by December or January, according to Shams Charania. The big man might be out later than that though, which does hurt the Celtics on the interior. Al Horford looks to be in line for heavy minutes with Williams out.
"He's going to return at some point during the second half of the season. I'm told his hope is sometime in December or January. But it could be even later than that..."@ShamsCharania #RunItBack report on Celtics big man Robert Williams pic.twitter.com/1kLyKkwhxH
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) October 18, 2022
Williams is expected to miss 8-12 weeks recovering from the surgery, which means he’s going to be out for at least the first month of the regular season. There’s a chance he misses another month if we look at the back end of this timeline. Grant Williams and Al Horford will have to pick up the additional minutes, but neither can replicate Williams’ rim protection and athleticism at the basket. The Celtics hope he can come back at 100% as soon as possible.