Robert Williams injury update: Ime Udoka explains center’s latest status
Robert Williams III returned for the Celtics in Game 1 of the conference finals, but wasn’t able to finish due to yet another injury scare.
May 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) battles for a loose ball with Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the second half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsCenter Robert Williams III returned for the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, but wasn't able to finish due to yet another injury scare.
Fortunately, head coach Ime Udoka told reporters after the game that Williams' new issue is unrelated to his recently surgically repaired knee. In fact, it was just a "cramp in his calf," as far as Udoka knows.
Not ideal that the oft-injured Williams had to deal with something fresh, again. But that it's not related to his MCL is relatively good news. He had returned to the court after missing the final four games of the Celtics' series against the Bucks with knee soreness.
Williams started limping after this play midway through the fourth quarter, while defending Heat big man Bam Adebayo:
He left after the play and didn't return. The Heat were up 12 with about six minutes left in the game, so while it may not have quite been white flag time, it's understandable that the team would sit Williams for the final six minutes as a precaution.
Williams was arguably the Celtics' best player in Game 1, scoring 18 points and pulling down nine rebounds with two blocked shots in 28 minutes. He was also the only Celtic to finish with a positive plus/minus, with a plus-5.
The Celtics are dealing with all kinds of health questions about their starters. Point guard Marcus Smart is reportedly aiming to return in Game 2, while Al Horford's availability is a mystery after he entered the NBA's Health & Safety Protocol.
The Boston Celtics faced the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena. Keep scrolling for more photos from the game.
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Eric Espada/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics jumps for the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsMay 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka calls out to his players against the Miami Heat during the first half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsMay 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a shot over Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) during the first half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsMay 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) takes a shot over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsMay 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes up for a shot over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Aaron Nesmith #26 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Head Coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics talks with Payton Pritchard #11 against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics high-fives Head Coach Ime Udoka against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Eric Espada/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Eric Espada/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Eric Espada/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat talks with Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game One
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 17: Head Coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 17, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsMay 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) battles for a loose ball with Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the second half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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It's a bubble rematch in the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will do battle for the right to represent the East in the 2022 NBA Finals starting Tuesday night in a battle of the top-2 seeds in the conference.
Since Miami was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, they get home court advantage in this series. The first two games will take place Tuesday and Thursday night, respectively, at FTX Arena. The series then shifts back to TD Garden on Saturday, May 21 for Game 3.
Check out the full schedule for the series below. All games will be carried live on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with pregame coverage starting 30 minutes before the scheduled tip-off.
Game 1: Tuesday, May 17, 8:30 p.m. ET
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsJan 31, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives between Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) and guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second half at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
Game 2: Thursday, May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsNov 4, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots over Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Saturday, May 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsNov 4, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives the ball around Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Monday, May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesLAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives the ball against Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 25, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 25, 8:30 p.m. ET
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsJan 31, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) shoots against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the second quarter at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 27, 8:30 p.m. ET
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsNov 4, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 29, 8:30 p.m. ET
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsNov 4, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) blocks the shot of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Full Schedule
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsOct 15, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball over Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Tuesday, May 17 in Miami; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Game 2: Thursday, May 19 in Miami; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Game 3: Saturday, May 21 at TD Garden; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Game 4: Monday, May 23 at TD Garden; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 25 in Miami; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 27 at TD Garden; 8 p.m. pm pregame/8:30 tip
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 29 in Miami; 8 p.m. pregame/8:30 tip
Click here for the full on-air schedule at 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
