By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Due to left knee soreness, Robert Williams III has been officially listed as questionable to play in Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Quarterfinals best-of-seven series pitting the Boston Celtics against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday (21:30 CET), however, according to the latest reports, the Celtics center will be available for the game, after missing Game 5 and Game 6.
Williams, 24, injured his knee after colliding with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. There is no structural damage but it is a “pain tolerance thing”, as noted by Celtics play-caller Ime Udoka.
“He is still day-to-day,” the 44-year-old head coach confirmed after Saturday’s practice, “Depending on how he feels tomorrow, we will determine if he plays.”
The Texas A&M product, selected with the 27th overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft by the Celtics, had surgery on the same knee back in March after tearing his meniscus. He had been sidelined for one month. The latest setback is unrelated to the initial injury, assured Udoka.
His playing time can be limited. Rookie small forward Sam Hauser (right shoulder) has been ruled out of Game 7. All remaining players, including German center Daniel Theis, are available.
The Bucks, defending NBA champions, will miss Khris Middleton again (left knee). The former Texas A&M standout suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain during the first-round series versus the Chicago Bulls. If the Bucks move into the Eastern Conference Finals, he would be expected to play at some point in the best-of-seven series opposite the Miami Heat.
On Tuesday, the Celtics or the Bucks will visit Miami for Game 1 in FXT Arena.
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