Celtics’ Robert Williams III is playing through severe pain in the NBA Finals

The Celtics big man has had a complicated road to recovery and in the middle of it a run to the NBA Finals. It now seems that may have been worse for him than first thought.

Celtics Robert Williams III is in constant pain

As incredible as it may sound, after undergoing corrective surgery for a torn meniscus on March 30th, the Celtics’ Robert Williams III was back on the court less than a month later. It was Game 3 of Boston’s opening round series against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Looking back it would appear that may have been a mistake, as every game since the Celtics center has been listed as questionable prior to tip off. Why you ask? According to reports, Williams III has been playing through severe pain, but it must be said with guts and grit.

“I honestly take it day-by-day,” Williams III said. “I can be feeling good right now, and then the next couple of hours it’s pretty sore. I try to take it day-by-day as much as I can.” The unfortunate scenario is made even more so considering the season he has had for Boston during which he formed an integral part of the league’s best defense. Sitting at 4th in the league in blocks with an average of 2.2 per game, he was even named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team.

Timing couldn’t be worse for the Celtics or Robert Williams III

With their backs now truly against a wall and no margin for error in the NBA Finals, the Celtics are trailing the Golden State Warriors 3-2 and if there is one thing that’s clear it’s that Robert Williams III is missed and worse still, just isn’t able to give what he normally does. Indeed, that has been the case since his return to the court as evidenced by the fact that his minutes per game in the postseason which stand at 22.3, are some seven minutes short of what he averaged during the regular season.

“It gets to me a lot,” Williams III said. “It’s hard to deal with. When I’m out there, the adrenaline and energy takes over so I don’t really think about it during games, but it for sure gets to me a lot.” Asked what is involved in bringing him to game readiness and Williams III admitted he does not enjoy the constant repetition of treatment calling it “boring” and “repetitive,” before explaining the process. “Icing, deep tissue massages, treatment, wait three or four hours and then start the process all over again until [it’s time to sleep],” he said. “Usually that same routine. Maybe a little BFR [blood flow restriction training] here and there, but usually that same ritual.”

The knee complications don’t stop there for Robert Williams III

Believe it or not, there is actually more which Williams III has had to endure in an effort to be there for his team. It is understood that Williams had his knee drained constantly during the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat. “I was really having my knee drained a lot last series,” Williams III confirmed. “I stopped draining it because there was no point, in my opinion. My knee kept filling back up with fluid. So, I’ve kind of learned how to manage it to be able to play.”

Celtics coach Ime Udoka weighs in

“We’re going to take what he can give us,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “If he can go, we’ll monitor him accordingly. If he can’t go, we understand. Rob’s a fighter. That’s why we love him.” Love him they do and rightly so as it’s clear what Williams III is enduring in order to play. There have been several moments where he can be seen limping and in visible pain. With that said the big man has no intention of throwing in the towel when his team still has a shot at a title. “S***, we’re trying to win,” Williams III said. “It’s crazy. I’m living my dream right now. Obviously, it would be way better if we win, but my whole thing is accountability for my team. Letting them know I’m here through whatever, and hopefully, the message is relayed to everyone else.”