The Boston Celtics are close to becoming whole again. Star defensive center Robert Williams III intends to return and play limited minutes in Game 3 of their series against the Brooklyn Nets, per ESPN. Williams has been out since March 27 with a torn meniscus, but reports had indicated throughout the end of the regular season and early postseason that he was trending in the right direction. If things go well in Game 3, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Williams would be expected to resume a significant workload in Game 4.
Williams obviously isn’t the only significant player set to return in this series. Nets trade deadline acquisition Ben Simmons is positioned to make his debut in Game 4 of the series now that he is pain-free and will have scrimmaged several times. Simmons has dealt with a back injury since being acquired from Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal for James Harden.
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Simmons has not once played this season. Williams has, and was perhaps the best defensive player on a team that includes Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. Boston’s decision to move him off the ball and turn him into a rover at the power forward spot defensively changed their entire season. The Celtics signed Williams to a four-year contract extension in the offseason, and he has rewarded them with career highs in every major category.
When Williams returns, the Celtics will have their entire roster available to them. That’s a terrifying prospect considering they already lead the Nets 2-0 in the first round. With Khris Middleton injured, a path is clearing for Boston to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. If Williams is his old self when he comes back, the Celtics would figure to be heavy favorites to come out of the East.
