Report: Former Celtics big man Robert Williams facing potentially season-ending knee surgery

Robert Williams, a former big man for the Boston Celtics, has gotten injured again.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that the current Trail Blazers centre will need surgery on his right knee and will likely be out for a long time following an injury he sustained during Portland’s Sunday night loss to Marcus Smart and the Grizzlies.

Shams Charania of The Athletic noted on Monday night that Williams may need surgery to fix bone and ligament damage in his right kneecap, which may terminate the season. Williams may also choose to have a “clean-up” procedure, which would require two to three months off the pitch.

Williams is an impact player who can swat shots and smash down lobs when he’s on the court. He was traded from Boston to Portland on October 1st in a blockbuster deal that included Jrue Holiday.

The 6-foot-9 big man has only played 60 or more games once in his first five NBA seasons, so staying on the field has been Williams’ biggest challenge.

Williams’ breakthrough season occurred in 2021–22, the same year that Boston made a deep run to the NBA Finals. That was his only season. With an average of 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game that season, Williams was named to the second team of the All-Defense team.

But in March 2022, Williams had surgery to repair a damaged meniscus in his left knee. Williams had another surgery right before training camp began in September 2022 because to further knee difficulties, despite the fact that he recovered in time for the playoffs that year.

In the end, Williams spent his last season in Boston playing in just 35 games overall, averaging 23.5 minutes per night.

Williams is averaging 6.8 points and 6.3 assists so far this season rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game in Portland.