Robert Williams has been playing through knee pain all playoffs, and some games have been better than others.
It was only two months ago when Williams had surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee that sidelined him for the start of the postseason. With a four-to-six-week timeline before a potential return, the Celtics had no idea what version of their All-Defensive Team center they would receive when he got back on the floor.
Williams has missed five games even after he made his 2022 Playoffs debut as Boston tried to manage his workload in the earlier rounds, but the 24-year-old has made himself available for every game of the NBA Finals to this point.
On some nights, Williams has looked like he can barely move. On others, he has affected the game in the same ways the Celtics saw all season. Regardless of how he performs, Williams' toughness and resiliency cannot be overstated.
In Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a chance for Boston to retake the series lead over Golden State, Williams delivered his most impactful game of the entire postseason.
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How Robert Williams was the difference-maker in Game 3
All he needed was 26 minutes to display an energy and physicality that the Warriors' frontcourt simply could not match. Williams may have only finished with eight points, but his 10 rebounds (three offensive), four blocks and three steals sent a message to Golden State that he owns the paint. His plus-21 +/- was the best in the game, and his 38.0 net rating was only bested by Payton Pritchard, who logged fewer than 10 minutes.
His efforts played a significant role in the game-altering difference between the Celtics' and Warriors' numbers inside. Boston won the battle of the boards (47-31), points in the paint (52-26) and second-chance points (22-11).
On top of that, Williams' rim protection has resulted in the Warriors' lowest points in the paint average of any series this postseason by a large margin.
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Even playing on one good leg, Williams' athleticism and verticality have resulted in some volleyball spike-type blocks when Golden State tries to get shots off around the basket.
While his bad knee has hindered his mobility on switches on the perimeter and limited the number of quick-twitch dunks and lobs we saw all year, there's no denying Williams' presence on the floor has been a positive one for the Celtics more often than not.
But how will his knee respond with only one day off in between Games 3 and 4?
Robert Williams' injury management and how it will impact Game 4
In Game 3, Celtics head coach Ime Udoka changed up his rotations in a way that benefitted Williams' availability.
While he would typically let Williams ride for long stretches in the first and third quarters, that meant he would close those frames on the bench. In Game 3, Udoka subbed Williams out early in the first and third quarters, allowing him to check back in for the final few minutes of both periods. He also gave Williams an extended rest in the second quarter going into halftime, leaving him well-rested to stay on the floor in the fourth quarter until the game's outcome was decided.
With how effective Williams was in just 26 minutes, it's safe to say Udoka will use a similar approach in Game 4, depending on how the 24-year-old's knee responds on the day off.
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"He doesn't do a whole lot physically in between (games), so you don't get a true sense until he really gets a good warmup," Udoka said of Williams' knee following Game 3.
"The day after it feels okay at times. The second day, sometimes, it's more sore. So it comes and goes. That's why we're being deliberate about listing him (as questionable) and really checking him out in case he feels worse."
Williams also spoke on the treatment process of his knee throughout the playoffs.
"It's been rough. Throwing everything at it," Williams said after Game 3. "Usually it's more sore the day after the game, obviously, adrenaline going down. But we did some different things today, got on the bike a little bit earlier before the game. I benefitted from it."
The young center knows what's at stake though, and he's comfortable playing through the pain for the potential reward.
"Yeah, for sure," He said when asked if playing in the Finals makes it easier to battle through his injury.
"Knowing what I'm playing for, obviously. Taking the risk of playing and getting this far, I've obviously got more work to do, but it's worth it, for sure."
How Williams' knee responds in between Games 3 and 4 will have a massive impact on this series. If he plays anything like he did in Game 3, it could put the Celtics one win away from their first NBA title since 2008.
