The question of which team — if either is — happens to be playing coy with the health of their injured big man starter in the 2022 NBA Playoffs East first-round series between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets could very well prove critical to the outcome of the series. It could also prove to be a footnote in league postseason history if neither Boston’s Robert Williams III and Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons do not take the floor in the first round.
However, we are getting hints about the relative health of each, with Simmons’ return by Game 4 described as a “realistic target” in a new article by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Timelord being described as having progressed to 3-on-3 play in practice.
Still, both coaches suggest such a return may not be in the offing, at least as soon as some have expected, with Nets coach Steve Nash suggesting a Game 4 return for the former 76er was “news to me” and Celtics coach Ime Udoka reiterating that Williams was not expected back this series.
Celtics Lab 104: What Game 1 of Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics can tell us about the rest of the series with Ajayi Browne https://t.co/wd5JZeeYXy via @thecelticswire pic.twitter.com/yuYNUVt3Yu
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 20, 2022
Boston, for their part, feel familiar enough with what Simmins can do after having faced him in postseason environments multiple times — and in Udoka’s case, coached him in them — that they believe will happen in Brooklyn.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
