When Robert Williams III came to the Portland Trail Blazers a few weeks ago, fans were hoping he’d give the team a lot of strong defense and point production in the paint.
Unfortunately, his season is already over.
After just six games, Williams will be out for the rest of 2023-24 because he will undergo surgery on his injured right knee, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN Sources: Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III will be required to undergo season-ending right knee surgery. https://t.co/v83BmhZnq9
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2023
Although he is a powerful, strong big man and an elite rim protector, Williams has had a very hard time staying on the floor for the entirety of a season.
This was a fact that weighed heavily on the minds of fans when he came to Portland from Boston.
The reaction online was immediate, with some people speculating about Portland’s next move.
Will they attempt to sign someone else to fill the void left by Williams?
Damn they gonna need someone for the rest of the season… now who they gonna pick up?
— Delbeezee 🐍 (@delbeezee) November 6, 2023
Many people commented on the fact that Williams repeatedly experiences nasty injury problems.
“The guy can’t catch a break,” one fan tweeted.
This guy can’t catch a break. #NBA
— Brooklyn Buckets (@BKBucketsBlog) November 7, 2023
Other people accused the Celtics of knowing this would happen when they traded Williams away.
There have been many fans upset at the way that Boston treated Williams, alleging that the team didn’t give him the proper care and rehabilitation he needed.
Absolutely brutal… Boston knew this would happen…
— Ben (@HowUBenFeller) November 6, 2023
And this is why the Celtics moved on from him. Great defensive talent but he’s always hurt.
— Steven V-Copeland (@svcopeland) November 6, 2023
When Williams sustained the injury in question, people expected that he could miss two to three months.
Unfortunately, it soon became clear that Williams would be on the sidelines for much longer.
But the reality was even worse than most had feared and the result is that Williams’ start with the Blazers has been cut dramatically short.
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