BOSTON — Celtics coach Ime Udoka said on Wednesday that part of Rob Williams’ return from left knee meniscus surgery would depend on “pain tolerance,” and it appears the young center may be closer to playing than initially thought possible — perhaps this weekend in Brooklyn.
A league source, in the wake of multiple reports that Williams was close to a return and could play in either Game 3 (Saturday) or Game 4 (Monday) of the Celtics’ first-round series against Brooklyn, said that his status was considered “day-to-day” by the team. In this case, “day-to-day” can be considered an upgrade.
“It depends on how he feels,” said the source, who stressed that though Williams has made great progress from his March 30 surgery, there’s still an equally good chance that he “will play or won’t play.”
An upbeat Williams has been seen on the practice floor this week, dribbling and working in the weight room. Udoka said that though Williams hasn’t taken part in a full team practice yet, he has been involved in 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 sessions, including contact.
“Not practice. He’s jumped up his level of activity as far as rehab,” said Udoka, who added that Williams was expected to travel with the team to Brooklyn on Friday.
“Being out there with some 3-on-3, 4-on-4, but not out there practicing with the team. You can’t really emulate the game, but he’s starting to do more. Contact work and getting out there as much as we can — there’s no need to put him out there for walkthroughs, so he’s doing things outside the group more so than with us.
“He’ll travel with us. It’s different than the end of the season where he was in the early stages of his rehab and wanted him to be here. Get two-a-days in. This is the time of year where we want him around the team, him around the ground and get into the playoff atmosphere. So he’ll travel with us. Regarding him, he’s progressing well. He’s had no setbacks and that benchmark of what we said, the four to six weeks, is looking good. So we’re happy with his progress.”
The four-week window would line up with a potential Game 6 in Brooklyn on April 29.
Williams’ status mirrors that of the Nets’ Ben Simmons, who is targeting a Game 4 debut for his new team, and hasn’t played since the 2021 conference finals while still a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Williams’ return would have an enormous impact for the Celtics at both ends of the floor, though his rim and paint presence is part of what made them the top-rated defense in the NBA this season.
