Robert Williams III can't catch a break.
The former Boston Celtics center, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, exited Sunday's game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies with a right knee injury and did not return. On Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski revealed Williams will require surgery.
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The Athletic's Shams Charania adds that the surgery, which would repair bone and ligament damage, could end Williams' season. Another option is a cleanup procedure that would give Williams a recovery timetable of two to three months.
UPDATE (Nov. 10): Williams will undergo season-ending surgery, according to Wojnarowski. He's expected to be fully recovered for the 2024-25 season.
This marks yet another devastating setback for the 26-year-old big man. He suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee just before the 2022 NBA playoffs, then missed the start of the 2022-2023 season with the Celtics after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on the same knee.
Boston Celtics
Injuries plagued Williams throughout his first five years in the NBA with Boston. He played in more than 50 games only twice during that span.
The Celtics sent Williams, veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, and two future first-round picks to the Trail Blazers last month as part of the trade that brought Jrue Holiday to Boston.
Williams averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes through six games with Portland.