Celtics big man Robert Williams, who had missed the last four playoff games with left knee soreness, played 28 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss against the Heat prior to sitting out the last portion of the game due to what was believed to be a cramp in his left leg. Williams’ left knee, which was operated on in March, began flaring up again which has forced him in and out of the lineup all postseason long.
Williams should be good to go and Boston will need him as Al Horford missed Tuesday’s Game 1 and could miss Thursday’s Game 2 as well being in the league’s health and safety protocols. Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart (left foot sprain) also missed Game 1 against Miami and his status for Game 2 remains unknown.
More Injury & Availability Notes
- Warriors’ Otto Porter Jr. (right foot soreness) missed Friday’s Game 6 against the Grizzlies but is off the injury report ahead of Wednesday’s Game 1 vs. Mavericks. Andre Iguodala remains out with an ongoing neck injury and Gary Payton II, who suffered a fractured elbow in the Warriors’ 106-101 loss to the Grizzlies in Game 2, is considered a “longshot” to return sometime in the Conference Finals.
- Kyle Lowry, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, has been in and out of the lineup for the top-seeded Heat and missed practice on Monday as well as Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Celtics. If he is unable to play in Thursday’s Game 2, Gabe Vincent should once again see a formidable amount of playing time. Max Strus, who had a hamstring strain causing his questionable status heading into Game 1, played 30 minutes on Tuesday night and it doesn’t appear the ailment will bring doubt to his status going forward.
- Suns’ Chris Paul left Sunday’s Game 7 loss to the Mavericks with a limp due to a left quad injury that the future Hall of Famer refused to comment on.
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