The Boston Celtics were already facing what seems like a must-win scenario in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, trailing 2-1 in the series.
That challenge just got a lot tougher.
Starting center Robert Williams III received surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his left knee prior to the start of the playoffs, forcing him to miss the final seven games of the regular season and the first two games of the postseason.
MORE: NBA weighs in on deciding calls from Bucks-Celtics Game 3
Williams made a quick return for Game 3 of the Celtics’ first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, but it appears the rising star’s knee is acting up again.
Will Williams be available for Game 4? Here’s everything we know below.
Will Robert Williams III play in Game 4 vs. Bucks?
Williams will be OUT for Game 4 against the Bucks due to left knee soreness, the Celtics announced on Tuesday.
#NEBHInjuryReport update:
Robert Williams (left knee soreness) – OUT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 9, 2022
Williams wasn’t originally on the injury report, but head coach Ime Udoka said some soreness “fired up” in the morning prior to Game 4. He mentioned Williams has been sore, at times, but it was “just a little worse today,” per The Athletic’s Jay King.
As mentioned above, this is the same knee that caused Williams to miss the final seven games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs after receiving surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus.
Williams eased his way back into the rotation, only playing 15 minutes in each of his first two games upon his return in Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets.
He was inserted back into the starting lineup to begin the series against the Bucks, averaging 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in 23.7 minutes per game.
MORE: How Antetokounmpo broke through Celtics’ impenetrable defense
Who will fill Robert Williams’ spot in the starting five?
Head coach Ime Udoka announced that Grant Williams will start in Robert Williams’ place.
Grant Williams will start for Robert Williams. Daniel Theis should play off the bench.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 9, 2022
Williams has been a key piece in the Celtics’ playoff push, knocking down 48.6 percent of his 3s while playing physical defense on the likes of Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As mentioned in the tweet above, reserve center Daniel Theis will also receive an uptick in playing time, as he did in the first round when Williams was out. Against the Nets, Theis averaged 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game.
What channel is Bucks vs. Celtics Game 4 on?
- Date: Monday, May 9
- TV channel: TNT
- Live streaming: Sling TV | Watch TNT
Game 4 of the second-round series between the Bucks and Celtics will be broadcast on TNT.
The game can be live streamed on Watch TNT or Sling TV.
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MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV
What time does Bucks vs. Celtics Game 4 start?
- Date: Monday, May 9
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
The Bucks and Celtics will battle in Game 4 on Monday, May 9. The game will tip off shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET and be played at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Bucks vs. Celtics series schedule
Here is the full schedule for the second-round series between the Bucks and Celtics:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| May 1 | Game 1: Bucks 101, Celtics 89 | ||
| May 3 | Game 2: Celtics 109, Bucks 86 | ||
| May 7 | Game 3: Bucks 103, Celtics 101 | ||
| May 9 | Game 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| May 11 | Game 5 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| May 13 | Game 6* | TBD | ESPN |
| May 15 | Game 7* | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism