The Boston Celtics will begin the 2022-23 regular season without their starting center, it appears.
Robert Williams will undergo athroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to recover in four-to-six weeks, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday. It's the same knee that Williams needed surgery on in March to repair a torn meniscus; he returned to action in less than a month but dealt with his knee injury throughout the postseason.
According to The Athletic's Jared Weiss, Williams was "experiencing discomfort" in his left knee as he "ramped up activity" prior to next week's Celtics training camp, which prompted his decision to get surgery.
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Should Celtics pursue these FA big men after Robert Williams injury?
The Celtics' first game is Oct. 18, which means Williams likely will miss Boston's season opener. But it sounds like he won't be sidelined for many regular-season games, per Wojnarowski.
Williams enjoyed his best season as a Celtic in 2021-22, averaging 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game while anchoring Boston's No. 1-ranked defense.