Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III will make his season debut Friday against the Orlando Magic. Williams suffered a meniscus injury late in the 2021-22 regular season. It was listed as a possibility on the injury report.
Although he missed the first 29 games this season, the Celtics were in no rush to bring him back. They lead the Eastern Conference and NBA with a 22-7 record. The Milwaukee Bucks trail Boston by 1.5 games.
According to a few NBA betting sites, the Celtics are clear favorites to win the championship in 2023.
Boston Celtics All-Defensive Center Robert Williams Will Make His First Game Friday Against The Orlando Magic, Sources Say @Athletics @ Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 15, 2022
In 61 starts last season, Williams averaged career highs of 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He also shot 73.6 percent from the field and 72.2 percent from the free throw line.
He also collected 25 double-doubles and one triple-double in those 61 games. Of course, the Celtics center received his first NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection.
Celtics center Robert Williams III is expected to make his season debut with the Magic on Friday.
In addition, the center posted a career-best 74.5% true shooting percentage, scoring a game-high 21 points in a Celtics 111-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 22, 2021.
During the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, the fourth-year player averaged 9.2 points and six boards in the playoffs. In Game 1 of Boston’s 118-107 loss to the Miami Heat, Williams scored 18 points in 29 minutes.
😤 https://t.co/l8FNUP1fYT
— Robert Williams (@rob_williamsIII) December 14, 2022
Even though Boston won the NBA Finals in six games against the Golden State Warriors, Williams still averaged 7.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He posted 17 blocks in six games, which is about 2.8 blocks per game.
When the 25-year-old returns, fans are expecting Celtics interim coach Joe Mazula to suspend Williams at the exact minute. He has never played a full season in his professional career, but the Texas A&M product has improved each year.
The Celtics are 12.5-point favorites heading into Friday night’s matchup with the Magic. Orlando has lost 10 games against Boston. And the C’s are 10-1 in their last 11 home games.
