After nursing a sore lower back for the past week, Boston Celtics rookie center Robert Williams be available against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. In a nationally televised game that will be broadcast on TNT, the Celtics will take on the Lakers at 8 P.M. EST.
Though he’s a seldom used center, Williams has averaged a team-high 5.8 blocks per 36 minutes this season (1.5 blocks in 9.0 minutes per game) while shooting a team-high 75.7 percent from the floor. With a team-best defensive rating of 97, a team-best offensive rating of 135 and a team-best .226 win shares per 48 minutes, Williams’ impact can be captured statistically and the eye test.
He’s an exceptional athlete, which bodes well for his rim-running tendencies and a dominant interior defender who turns back shots with force.
Having focused on developing both his fundamentals — including his technique and awareness — to be an elite defender at the NBA level, Williams’ development is incremental and games like Thursday’s showdown against the Lakers is just another step forward for him if he gets the opportunity to play.
With backup center Aron Baynes nursing a bone contusion and out through the All-Star Break, the Time Lord may just get his chance.
*All stats gathered from Basketball Reference
