Robert Williams enjoyed a breakout season last year, anchoring the Boston Celtics defense – a unit that was the best in the NBA. One torn meniscus, two surgeries, and a few missed months later, he’s back to dominating on that side of the basketball.
Boston took down the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night 121-116, but it wasn’t smooth sailing for the C’s. They stumbled late in the fourth quarter, allowing former Celtic Josh Richardson to heat up and help the Spurs back into the game. And when things were crumbling, Jayson Tatum looked to Williams.
“It was funny because he got subbed out, I think it was like in the fourth, eight-minute mark, maybe seven. And I asked him, I’m like, ‘Yo, you still on a minute restriction?’ And he was like, ‘Nah.’ And I was like, ‘Well alright, get your a** back in the game.’”
“I asked him, ‘are you still on minute restriction?’ and he was like ‘nah.’
and I was like ‘well get your ass back in the game.'”Jayson Tatum talks about wanting as much time as possible on the floor with Rob Williams ️ #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/p9VxgoFFyo
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 8, 2023
The Celtics big man ended the night with a double-double – 10 points and 11 rebounds – to go along with three assists, two steals, and four blocks. He shot 5-of-6 from the field.
Against the Spurs, Williams’ versatility was put on full display. He thrives in the off-ball role, but he’s also an elite on-ball defender. Williams’ freakish athleticism allows him to keep up with big men and guards alike on the perimeter.
There was one play, in particular, that caught the eyes of many. Spurs rookie Malaki Branham got the ball near the end of the first half with roughly five seconds left on the shot clock. He immediately shot it, but Williams – jumping from the free throw line to the top of the key – blocked Branham’s shot and got a transition bucket.
It was an incredible display of athleticism and skill, and after the game, Williams said that he was surprised that Branham actually shot the ball.
“I’m really surprised he shot the ball. Most people know I’m coming to block that. He won’t try it again.”
Williams played 21:45 against the Spurs, his second-highest minutes total of the season. The only game he earned more court time in this season was Boston’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, where he logged 22:18.
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