Officially, Robert Williams is listed as questionable for Friday’s Celtics game against the Magic.
In reality, Williams will make his season debut for Boston that night, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Boston Celtics All-Defensive center Robert Williams will make his season debut Friday vs. the Orlando Magic, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 15, 2022
The Celtics are also close to getting their other starting big man, Al Horford, back on the court. Boston has missed that duo.
Williams has been out with a knee issue that required multiple surgeries. He pushed to get back from the first surgery to be part of the Celtics’ run to the Finals last season, then had a second surgery during the offseason.
Williams is an elite defensive, rim-protecting big and his insertion into the starting lineup was a key part of what changed the Celtics’ trajectory last season. In the playoffs, Boston’s defense was 6.4 points per 100 possessions better when Williams was on the court — and that was with him playing through a sore knee. He can also finish at the rim and put a few points on the board, averaging 10 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season.
Boston already has the best record in the NBA at 22-7, adding Williams is just going to make them better.
