Celtics center Robert Williams will not play in Game 4 against the Bucks on Monday due to left knee soreness, the team’s PR department tweets.
Williams’ knee soreness was expected, coach Ime Udoka told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Twitter link) and other media members. The team’s starting big man tried to workout prior to game and couldn’t move like team wanted, according to Udoka. Udoka believes that by resting Williams tonight, he’ll be able to play in Game 5, Jared Weiss tweets.
It’s a tough blow for a team facing a 2-1 series deficit on the road.
Williams missed the latter portion of the regular season due to meniscus surgery. He’s appeared in five postseason games, including three starts, and has averaged 6.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 1.8 BPG in 2o.2 MPG.
Boston will go with a smaller starting lineup with Grant Williams starting in Robert Williams’ place.