How long is Robert Williams III out? Hamstring injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Celtics center
The Celtics have to work through their fights without their starting center.
Boston until recently had the best record in the NBA for most of the season. The Celtics have lost three of their last five games and have slipped to second place in the Eastern Conference behind the rising Bucks.
During that hard slip, Boston starting center Robert Williams III suffered a left hamstring injury.
How long will the Celtics go without their defensive anchor? The Sporting News have brought you the latest updates below.
LOG IN TO WATCH EVERY GAME WITH NBA LEAGUE PASS: USA and UK | All other countries
What is Robert Williams III’s injury?
Williams suffered a left hamstring injury in the third quarter of the Celtics’ loss to the Nets on Friday, March 3.
Williams landed unluckily after attempting a block and was immediately eliminated from the game. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a left thigh strain.
Williams finished the game with six points, six rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes.
How long will Robert Williams III be out?
Ahead of the Celtics-Knicks game on March 5, head coach Joe Mazzulla said the team will not rush Williams, he will come back when he is ready.
Mazzulla gave a loose schedule and said Williams could miss the next 7-10 days.
Williams missed the first 29 games of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies and treat swelling in his left knee earlier in the year.
He has played in just 28 of Boston’s 65 games, averaging 8.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
According to NBA stats, the Celtics own a 106.8 defensive rating with Williams on court, which would put them first in the league. If Williams lifts off the ground, Boston’s defensive rating goes up to 111.3, which would mean fourth place in the NBA.
Celtic’s upcoming 2023 schedule
Here are Boston’s next five games:
| Date | Opponent | time (ET) | TV channel |
| 6th March | at cavaliers | 19 o’clock | — |
| 8th of March | against Trailblazer | 19:30 o’clock | — |
| March 11 | at Hawks | 19:30 o’clock | — |
| March 13th | at rockets | 8 p.m | — |
| March, 15 | with the timber wolves | 8 p.m | — |
Robert Williams III career statistics, highlights
- 7.4 points per game
- 6.9 rebounds per game
- 1.4 assists per game
- 1.6 blocks per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 0.8 turnover per game
- 20.5 minutes per game
- 73.2 percent field goal shooting
- 66.0 percent free throw shooting