Robert Williams injury update: Celtics center to miss Game 4 vs. Bucks with knee soreness

Kyle Irving

Robert Williams injury update: Celtics center to miss Game 4 vs. Bucks with knee soreness image

The Boston Celtics were already facing what seems like a must-win scenario in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, trailing 2-1 in the series.

That challenge just got a lot tougher.

Starting center Robert Williams III received surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee prior to the start of the playoffs, forcing him to miss the final seven games of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason.

MORE: NBA weighs in on deciding calls from Bucks-Celtics Game 3

Williams made a quick return for Game 3 of the Celtics' first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, but it appears the rising star's knee is acting up again.

Will Williams be available for Game 4? Here's everything we know below.

Will Robert Williams III play in Game 4 vs. Bucks?

Williams will be OUT for Game 4 against the Bucks due to left knee soreness, the Celtics announced on Tuesday.

Williams wasn't originally on the injury report, but head coach Ime Udoka said some soreness "fired up" in the morning prior to Game 4. He mentioned Williams has been sore, at times, but it was "just a little worse today," per The Athletic's Jay King.

As mentioned above, this is the same knee that caused Williams to miss the final seven games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs after receiving surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus.

Williams eased his way back into the rotation, only playing 15 minutes in each of his first two games upon his return in Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets.

He was inserted back into the starting lineup to begin the series against the Bucks, averaging 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 23.7 minutes per game.

MORE: How Antetokounmpo broke through Celtics' impenetrable defense

Who will fill Robert Williams' spot in the starting five?

Head coach Ime Udoka announced that Grant Williams will start in Robert Williams' place.

Williams has been a key piece in the Celtics' playoff push, knocking down 48.6 percent of his 3s while playing physical defense on the likes of Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As mentioned in the tweet above, reserve center Daniel Theis will also receive an uptick in playing time, as he did in the first round when Williams was out. Against the Nets, Theis averaged 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game.

What channel is Bucks vs. Celtics Game 4 on?

  • Date: Monday, May 9
  • TV channel: TNT
  • Live streaming: Sling TV | Watch TNT

Game 4 of the second-round series between the Bucks and Celtics will be broadcast on TNT.

The game can be live streamed on Watch TNT or Sling TV.

Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Playoff game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.

MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV

What time does Bucks vs. Celtics Game 4 start?

  • Date: Monday, May 9
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT

The Bucks and Celtics will battle in Game 4 on Monday, May 9. The game will tip off shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET and be played at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Bucks vs. Celtics series schedule

Here is the full schedule for the second-round series between the Bucks and Celtics:

Date Game Time (ET) TV channel
May 1 Game 1: Bucks 101, Celtics 89    
May 3 Game 2: Celtics 109, Bucks 86    
May 7 Game 3: Bucks 103, Celtics 101    
May 9 Game 4 7:30 p.m. TNT
May 11 Game 5 7 p.m. TNT
May 13 Game 6* TBD ESPN
May 15 Game 7* TBD TNT

*if necessary

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.