It’s unusual to write about another team and injuries involving their players considering the main focus of this website is Philadelphia 76ers’ content. However, there are certain situations where it is permissible and this article will highlight one of those situations.
In this particular case, it’s important to review the injury to the Boston Celtics center Robert Williams and how it will impact the Sixers’ chances to make a title run this season. Despite the Celtics being a historic rival, the injury to this defensive big man impacts their and the 76ers championship aspirations.
Celtic’s injury has an impact on the Philadelphia 76ers championship hopes this year.
Williams suffered a left knee injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves and it ended up being a torn meniscus, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Since his diagnosis, Williams has elected to get surgery which will keep him out for four to six weeks, according to Wojnarowski.
This means he will at least miss the first round of the playoffs, not something ideal for the Celtics in a loaded Eastern Conference. This is significant because the starting center anchors one of the best defenses in the NBA and would be my personal choice of Defensive Player of the Year.
If they by chance get matched up with the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, it could end with an upset with the Celtics getting bounced out. Certainly, this is an ideal scenario for Philly as it eliminates one of the best defensive teams that could get in the way of their championship goals. It might even help if the two teams do match up in the second round and Williams is taking longer than expected to return. Which is a real possibility with his injury history in the equation.
In the grand scheme of the race for the title, this injury to Williams has a minimum impact at best with all the other contenders in the East that the Philadelphia 76ers have to deal with. However, every little advantage can help in the playoffs.