2022 Playoffs: East Semifinal | Celtics (2) vs. Bucks (3)

Celtics' Robert Williams (knee soreness) returns for Game 7 vs. Bucks

The elite defender returns for Sunday's win-or-go-home game against Milwaukee in Boston.

From NBA.com News Services

Updated on May 15, 2022 8:10 PM

Robert Williams averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 steals over the first three games against Milwaukee.

Boston Celtics big man Robert Williams is available for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against Milwaukee on Sunday (LIVE, ABC) after missing three straight playoff games due to soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.

Boston coach Ime Udoka said Williams won’t start and would be used as needed. Grant Williams will remain in the starting lineup.

#NEBHInjuryReport update: Rob Williams is AVAILABLE, per coach Udoka. He’ll come off the bench.https://t.co/CEyUve9yeh

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 15, 2022

Williams had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee on March 30. The 6-foot-9 forward/center didn’t return until Game 3 of the Celtics’ first-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. He had started each of the first three games against the Bucks.

Robert Williams has averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.7 assists and 23.3 minutes in this series. The Celtics are tied with the defending champion Bucks 2-2 before Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 in Boston.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.