Celtics’ Williams (knee) still questionable for G6

MILWAUKEE — Boston Celtics ahead Robert Williams III remains to be questionable for Recreation 6 on Friday night time towards the Milwaukee Bucks due to left knee soreness.

Nonetheless, Boston coach Ime Udoka clarified that the soreness would not stem from his surgical procedure final month to restore the meniscus within the knee. As an alternative, scans revealed a small bone bruise.

“He obtained his knee scanned and every thing structurally is nice.” Udoka mentioned after shootaround Friday morning. “Seems to be wonderful. The swelling went down however he nonetheless had some soreness and ache. Revealed that he has a small bone bruise from collision he took in Recreation 3. Structurally he is wonderful from the surgical procedure is simply that is the place the swelling and soreness got here from.”

The Celtics have not had Williams for the previous two video games within the best-of-seven sequence towards Milwaukee and cut up these contests. They path the Bucks 3-2 heading into Recreation 6.

When requested if the problem occurred when Williams collided with Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo in Recreation 3, Udoka mentioned “Sure,” however rapidly added that “Giannis bumped into him,” hiding a wry smile beneath his masks earlier than taking the subsequent query.

Udoka added the present damage is what has triggered Williams’ absences.

“There is no issues with the surgical procedure in any respect,” Udoka mentioned. “It is simply that particular hit that he took.”

Williams returned from the knee surgical procedure within the first-round sequence towards the Brooklyn Nets in Video games 3 and 4, coming off the bench in each of these matchups in the course of the sweep. He returned to the beginning lineup towards the Bucks.

Grant Williams has began each video games instead of Robert Williams however the group has additionally discovered some success with smaller lineups. Grant Williams has performed in 56 minutes up to now two video games whereas guard Derrick White has performed 66 minutes over that span.

White mentioned he talked to Robert Williams, who mentioned he is feeling good however is aware of that he is simply ready to get the inexperienced mild to rejoin his squad on the court docket.

“Rob’s particular,” White mentioned. “We have been saying that each one 12 months. What he does, nobody else within the league does. It is at all times nice to have him on the market. When he is on the market, he at all times does nice for us.”