Ex-Celtics Defensive Player of the Year candidate sadly out for rest of season | Sporting News

A former Boston Celtics defensive stud still cant kick the injury bug.

When the Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday back on October 1, 2023, it wasnt for a small price.

Celtics GM Brad Stevens had to give the Portland Trail Blazers a Sixth Man of the Year (Malcolm Brogdon) and one of the leagues best young rim protectors (Robert Williams III) to pry away Holiday, not to mention two first-round picks to Portland.

No ones second-guessing Stevens in hindsight Holiday has already helped Boston win a title.

At the time of the deal, however, losing Williams III was a gut-wrenching experience for Celtics fans.

The six-foot-nine athletic specimen with a seven-foot-six wingspan proved to be a gifted shot-blocker and elite lob threat during his time with the Celtics, but there was always one problem ...

he never seemed to stay healthy.

It appears that issue continues to haunt Williams III, who at 27 years old still has a chance to change the narrative of his career, but not at the present moment.

Per multiple reports that surfaced on Thursday night, Williams III will miss the remainder of the NBA season due to knee inflammation.

Heres how multiple sources reacted to the news.

Senior NBA insider Chris Haynes : Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III will miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to address inflammation in his left knee.

Forbes Evan Sidery : The Trail Blazers announced Robert Williams will be out for the remainder of the regular season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Williams has only played in 61 total games over the past three years.

CLNS Medias Bobby Manning : Robert Williams emerged as a DPOY favorite three years ago in March, 2022....he tore his meniscus on Mar.

27 that year and has played 61 regular season games since.

Williams III appeared in 20 games this season for Portland, finishing 2024-25 with averages of 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 17.6 minutes per game.

Williams III finished No.

7 in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2022 while playing for the Celtics.

More NBA: Celtics could acquire Clippers' $36.3 million superstar in money-saving move.

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