Rob Williams injury: Celtics center is available for Game 7
Celtics center Robert Williams is available for Game 7 against the Bucks, coach Ime Udoka announced Sunday.
Williams has missed three straight games in Boston’s second-round playoff series due to knee soreness. Udoka said Williams will not start. Sunday’s tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
Udoka previously said Williams, who suffered a bone bruise from colliding with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3, wouldn’t return until he was 100%. He also described Williams’ availability as being dependent on his pain tolerance. Williams’ movement has also been limited by the injury, according to Udkoa.
The Celtics have gone 2-1 in Williams’ absence in this series, though Antetokounmpo has ravaged the paint without his added rim protection.
Williams also offered a decent defensively option against Antetokounmpo when the 6-foot-11 MVP forced switches early in the series. In Game 6, Marcus Smart matched up with Antetokounmpo more than any other Celtic and allowed him to score 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, plus one turnover, according to NBA tracking data; a stark contrast from the 1-of-7 shooting Smart allowed Antetokounmpo’s teammates combined that same night.
Without Williams, the Celtics will start Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and Al Horford.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/TzvJRGx
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