Report: Former Celtics large man Robert Williams dealing with doubtlessly season-ending knee surgical procedure

Former Celtics large man Robert Williams has been bitten by the harm bug as soon as once more.

In keeping with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the present Path Blazers middle would require proper knee surgical procedure and is predicted to be sidelined for an prolonged time frame after struggling an harm throughout Portland’s loss to Marcus Sensible and the Grizzlies on Sunday evening. 

The Athletic’s Shams Charania added on Monday evening that Williams is dealing with a possible season-ending surgical process to restore bone and ligament injury in his proper kneecap. Williams might additionally go for a “clean-up” surgical procedure that will put him on the shelf for 2-3 months.

Williams — who was traded from Boston to Portland on Oct. 1 in a blockbuster deal centered on Jrue Vacation — is an influence participant able to each swatting pictures and hammering down lobs at any time when he’s out on the court docket.

However the major hurdle for Williams has been getting out on the court docket, with the 6-foot-9 large man solely enjoying 60 or extra video games as soon as over his first 5 seasons within the NBA.

That lone season got here in 2021-22, when Williams’ breakout marketing campaign coincided with Boston making a run all the way in which to the NBA Finals. Williams earned a Second-Group All-NBA defensive honor that 12 months, averaging 10 factors, 9 rebounds, and two blocks per recreation.

However Williams suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in March 2022 that required surgical procedure. And though he returned in time of the playoffs that 12 months, further problems in that knee prompted Williams to go underneath the knife once more simply earlier than the beginning of coaching camp in September 2022. 

Williams in the end performed simply 35 whole video games with the Celtics throughout his ultimate season in Boston, averaging simply 23.5 minutes per evening.

To this point this season, Williams is averaging 6.8 factors and 6.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per recreation together with his new group in Portland.