Robert Williams to return in Game 3
Source: Twitter @KeithSmithNBA
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBAWith the Middleton injury and Rob Williams back, Boston has to be the favorite in the East at this point. Miami will give them a defensive war of a series, but I don’t think the Heat can score enough in the end. – 10:05 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__SchifferFinal: Celtics beat the Nets 109-103. Boston leads the series 3-0. Bruce Brown scored 26 points in 40 minutes to lead Brooklyn. Robert Williams return was moot and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving combined to shoot 12-for-28 from the field. Game 4 is Monday. Ben Simmons might play. – 10:00 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAIme Udoka when he got Rob Williams back: pic.twitter.com/ceR3Bat0JE – 9:56 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingAfter Al Horford just checked in for him, Robert Williams’s night could be done with two points, two rebounds, one assist and one block over 16 minutes. – 9:43 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBArob williams is completely out of rhythm right now but he really does play the game at a higher speed than everyone else – 9:32 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisRobert Williams checking back in here – 9:16 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAmakes sense rob williams came back so early since he clearly skipped a step in his rehab pic.twitter.com/FvnuSKk1ZY – 8:54 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachWild stat: Al Horford and Robert Williams combined for 0 rebounds in 22 minutes. – 8:53 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Rob Williams is at midcourt doing some agility drills – 8:52 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoopCeltics are going to NEED Robert Williams in the second half. – 8:49 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBACeltics have hardly used Rob Williams so far tonight in his 7 minutes on the floor. Have run a few lobs for him, including an ATO to start the second running Spain pick and roll, but he’s been mostly trying to blend into the scenery as they run what’s worked this series. – 8:43 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBARob Williams played just the one stint in the first half. 7 minutes.
Ime Udoka said he could play up to 24 minutes, but that Boston would likely keep him around 20. – 8:43 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingOnly seven minutes for Robert Williams in the first half. Unless the Celtics intend to limit his minutes more than Ime Udoka said, they saved up a bunch of them for the second half. – 8:39 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAGreat first stint for Rob Williams. He went 7 minutes bridging Q1 and Q2. – 8:24 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby#Celtics bench on their feet to cheer for Rob Williams after his first stint back. Al Horford made sure to give Derrick White a pat on the back too. – 8:23 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Rob Williams checks out after a 7-minute stint – 8:23 PM
Kristian Winfield @KrisplashedRobert Williams is a game-changer for Boston. Thinking otherwise is crazy. – 8:23 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovRobert Williams just dunked it and Al Horford leapt out from the Celtics bench to the dunker spot to celebrate – 8:22 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingRobert Williams, still Robert Williams. Throws down a dunk on Andre Drummond’s head, then does a pretty good job sticking with Kyrie Irving downhill. – 8:22 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyAnd now Rob Williams doing chin-ups on the rim. Boston up 39-27 now. – 8:22 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__SchifferAnd Robert Williams just baptized Drummond. – 8:22 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeRobert Williams dunk. #Celtics #Nets – 8:22 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyRobert Williams hasn’t scored a single point, and his impact at both ends of the floor is undeniable which is the point of why his return is so important to the Celtics’ chances to win tonight and going forward. – 8:19 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeRobert Williams hasn’t scored but he’s definitely encouraged several #Nets not to attack the rim, especially Goran Dragic. #Celtics – 8:17 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbRob Williams checking off the alley oop and block boxes early. – 8:17 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingThe Nets tried an Andre Drummond post up. Not sure why. But Robert Williams mashed it off the glass. He has looked good so far. He’s been switching, caught a lob (which didn’t count) and erased Drummond there. – 8:16 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachRobert Williams….apparently fine. Threw down an alley-oop that didn’t count. Then Andre Drummond challenged him in the post and got swatted. – 8:16 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoneyRobert Williams with a nice block on Drummond’s drive. Nice hand from the Celtic fans who are happy to have their big man back. – 8:16 PM
Abby Chin @tvabbyI know it didn’t count, but man, I’ve missed that!! Rob Williams III flying through the air! – 8:15 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingRobert Williams can still catch alley-oops, I guess. – 8:14 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeRobert Williams will start the 2Q. #Celtics #Nets – 8:12 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBARob Williams checks in for Al Horford.
Tatum back on, for Brown. – 8:06 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyRobert Williams checks in at the 2:53 mark of the first – 8:05 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwillRobert Williams III enters for the first time since injury, and Barclays sounds like TD Garden – 8:05 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingHere comes Robert Williams with 2:53 left in the first quarter. Big cheer for him … in Brooklyn. – 8:04 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovRobert Williams checks into the game with 2:53 left in the first quarter. Gets a nice pop at Barclays, too. – 8:04 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisRobert Williams is in – 8:04 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAIt’s Time Lord time. Big ovation in Barclays as Robert Williams checks in for Jaylen Brown. – 8:04 PM
Kristian Winfield @KrisplashedRobert Williams is getting a standing ovation from Celtics fans here at Barclays Center. – 8:04 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachHere comes Robert Williams. – 8:04 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbachRobert Williams not in the first group of subs. Grant Williams and Derrick White in now. – 7:59 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Rob Williams is giving bear hugs to all of his fellow bench dudes. – 7:43 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyWith Robert Williams’ sooner-than-expected return tonight from a torn meniscus injury on March 27, here’s a look at the short and long-term impact of his return for the @Celtics fullcourtpress.bulletin.com/the-short-and-… – 6:35 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbTalking Celtics-Nets Game 3 and Rob Williams return with @RealAlexBarth until Celtics pregame at 7 on @985thesportshub. Tune in live at 985thesportshub.com – 6:19 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingIme Udoka said Robert Williams had “some good 20-25 minute” scrimmage sessions before being cleared to play tonight. – 6:04 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyA key to Rob Williams returning ahead of schedule, is the lack of pain and swelling he experienced during his ramp-up back to playing, said Celtics head coach Ime Udoka – 6:04 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingIme Udoka said Robert Williams is available tonight. He will come off the bench. He will likely play about 20 minutes, per Udoka. – 6:03 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoneyRobert Williams is available for the Celtics tonight. Ime Udoka said probably 20-24 minutes off the bench. – 6:03 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeRobert Williams WILL play tonight vs. #Nets. Will play short stints totaling 20-24 minutes. #Celtics – 6:03 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAIme Udoka confirms Rob Williams is available tonight pic.twitter.com/7CDMkdBihW – 6:02 PM
Nick Friedell @NickFriedellIme Udoka says Robert Williams is available tonight. – 6:02 PM
Kristian Winfield @KrisplashedRobert Williams is “technically” on a minutes limit that could go up to 24 minutes max but will come off the bench for the Celtics in shorter spurts tonight against the Nets. – 6:02 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyRob Williams will come off the bench, can go up to 24 minutes tonight. – 6:02 PM
Barbara Barker @meanbarbRobert Williams III is available. He will not start, says Ime Udoka – 6:02 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannixRobert Williams will not start, but he will play in Game 3 on a 20-ish minute limit. – 6:02 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisRobert Williams is available but will not start. He’ll play about 20 minutes – 6:02 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__SchifferIme Udoka said Robert Williams III will play, but come off the bench. Minutes limit remains around 20, but comes down to how he feels. – 6:02 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Rob Williams is available and will come off the bench. Plan for 20 minutes. – 6:02 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopperAnd Ime Udoka says Rob Williams III is a go tonight – expecting to keep him to about 20 minutes. “Shorter stints, still deciding when we want to bring him in.” – 6:02 PM
Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_🚨 Celtics coach Ime Udoka says Robert Williams is available. 🚨 – 6:02 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBPRob Williams will play, off the bench, in Game 3 – 6:02 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBARobert Williams is available and will come off the bench, per Ime Udoka. – 6:02 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbRob Williams is available for tonight’s game. He will come off the bench. – 6:01 PM
John Karalis @John_KaralisNew on BSJ: Four ways Robert Williams returning for Game 3 could change things for the Celtics bostonsportsjournal.com/2022/04/23/fou… – 4:15 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobbNew: Robert Williams has cleared ‘every benchmark’ according to Ime Udoka ahead of a potential Game 3 return masslive.com/celtics/2022/0… – 12:10 PM
Jay King @ByJayKingMarcus Smart on Robert Williams: “I haven’t seen too much, but from what I’ve seen he looks great.”
“He’s getting off the floor and moving well. The Rob we used to know.” – 11:56 AM
Mark Murphy @Murf56Rob Williams still questionable, but according to Udoka he’s had a minimum of pain and swelling. Good chance he initially comes off the bench when he returns. – 11:47 AM
John Karalis @John_KaralisGrant Williams asked how Robert Williams looks: “he looks great” – 11:38 AM
Jay King @ByJayKingGrant Williams said Robert Williams “looks great.” – 11:37 AM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely“His presence out there…he gives us a ton of versatility and makes us elite (defensively).” – Ime Udoka on Robert Williams – 11:32 AM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobeIme Udoka said Robert Williams remains questionable. If he plays, it will be in the 20-minute range. #Celtics #Nets – 11:30 AM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakelyRobert Williams is still questionable for tonight’s game, but Ime Udoka has said he has cleared every benchmark in order to be cleared to return. – 11:30 AM
John Karalis @John_KaralisIme Udoka says the plan, if Robert Williams plays, would be to play about 20 minutes or so tonight – 11:30 AM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAIme Udoka says Rob Williams is feeling good but still questionable for tonight. “I like where he’s at right now and will reevaluate throughout the day to see how he feels. But he’s cleared every benchmark.” – 11:29 AM
Sean Deveney @SeanDeveneyFor the @Boston Celtics, no “additional risk” in testing Robert Williams in Game 3 a source tells @Steve Bulpett …
heavy.com/sports/boston-… – 10:06 AM
More on this storyline
Jay King: Ime Udoka said Robert Williams is still questionable. He has “cleared every bench mark” so far. Udoka said Williams could potentially play about 20 minutes if he does play. -via Twitter @ByJayKing / April 23, 2022 Jay King: Ime Udoka said there is “minimal concern” about bringing Robert Williams into a tough playoff series, after an extended absence, based on how good he has looked. Said Williams looks “the same” as he did before the injury. -via Twitter @ByJayKing / April 23, 2022 Jay King: Robert Williams is considered questionable for Game 3, per the Celtics. His return could come tomorrow. -via Twitter @ByJayKing / April 22, 2022