Injury Report: Robert Williams III, Daniel Theis downgraded to out vs. Wizards

With Boston Celtics centers Robert Williams III and Daniel Theis out, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens will have to rely on a pair of rookies to help protect the rim in their absence.

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Per an announcement from the Boston Celtics, centers Robert Williams III (right ankle sprain) and Daniel Theis (little finger sprain) won’t be suiting up against the Washington Wizards.

Theis was listed as questionable as recently as Tuesday and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens appeared hopeful that Theis could play after shootaround, per Boston.com. Though team doctors have held him out against Washington, Boston will face off against the hobbled Golden State Warriors on Nov. 15, a game in which he may return.

Williams wasn’t listed on yesterday’s injury report and Stevens said nothing after shootaround to indicate that he wouldn’t be playing. So, the injury seems to have occurred shortly before the team’s scheduled  7:30 p.m. ET tipoff.

Though Theis and Williams bring similar elements to the game in terms of their rim-protection and rim-running ability, they’re largely different players with Williams playing the part of an extraordinary athlete and elite shot-blocker (as well as finisher) and Theis being a heady pivot who can stretch the floor.

Without either center available, Celtics center Enes Kanter — who started in the season opener — may open the game in the starting unit with either Vincent Poirier or Grant Williams (or both) playing the five when he’s off the floor.