Portland Trail Blazers centre Robert Williams III’s 2023-24 season appears to be over after only 6 games.
After injuring his knee cap and surrounding ligaments in his team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland announced that Williams will undergo season ending surgery on his right knee. The procedure is scheduled to take place early next week, and is expected to have the 26 year old ready for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The injury marks the second time in as many years that the former Celtic will go under the knife to address a knee issue. Williams missed the start of the 2022-23 season after undergoing a procedure on his left knee. He also tore the meniscus in his left knee in March of 2022 as well. Across 6 games this year, Williams has posted a 6.8pts/6.3reb/0.8ast statline in just over 19 minutes of action per night.
While the injury is an obvious setback to a young Trail Blazers squad devoid of established big men, it’s perhaps even more of a blow to the front office’s trade deadline plans. After coming over as part of the Jrue Holiday deal with Boston, multiple teams had inquired about “Time Lord’s” availability in recent weeks.
His departure will now put added pressure on Deandre Ayton to remain healthy and produce at a high level for Portland.
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