Robert Williams isn't going to play Monday night when the Boston Celtics continue their road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers, but it also doesn't sound like the veteran center is too far away from making his season debut.
Williams had knee surgery in September and was expected to need eight to 12 weeks before resuming basketball activities.
The 2018 first-round pick has been scrimmaging with Celtics teammates of late and, judging by videos from these games, appears to be moving quite well.
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What's the latest on his status? ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported an update Monday afternoon on "NBA Today".
"They're essentially waiting for Robert Williams, at this point, to wake up one morning and say, 'I'm ready to go,'" Wojnarowski said.
"He's cleared to play. If you saw some of the clips of him in practice catching lob dunks -- he's playing 5-on-5, he's playing pain free. But he's still coming off that offseason knee surgery. If it's not tomorrow against the Lakers, Boston is back home Friday against Orlando. I think the countdown continues then. But there's no rush to get Robert Williams back. When he's ready mentally, he'll be back."
The Celtics have played quite well without Williams this season, and they own the league's best record entering Monday at 21-6. Boston's defense, however, has plenty of room for improvement, and getting back a center of Williams' caliber on that end of the floor should be a significant upgrade for the C's.
Williams averaged 10 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last season.