According to the Boston Celtics’ injury report, second-year center Robert Williams III has been listed as questionable against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday as he continues to nurse a sore right ankle.
After missing a contest against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday due to his ankle injury, Williams was nearly held out of Boston’s last game — a narrow victory over the Golden State Warriors — because of the same injury. Though he would suit up, he would play just 10 minutes — the second-fewest minutes of any player from either side — as he continued to deal with ankle soreness.
After Boston’s victory, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens would say that “[Williams] was available but kind of with an asterisk” (per The Athletic’s Jay King).
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Sacramento:
Gordon Hayward (left hand fracture) – OUT
Robert Williams (sore right ankle) – QUESTIONABLE— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 17, 2019
In the grand scheme, Boston will have bigger fish to fry than the Kings, who sit at 4-7 and are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. While every game presents players and the team with a chance to improve, the best ability is availability and by taking precautions against aggravating his ankle injury, Williams could ensure that he’s able to stay on the court for a longer stretch down the line.
The big man is averaging 5.2 points (on 77.8% shooting from the field), 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 15.3 minutes per game this season, all career-highs.