Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Young Blazers big man needs knee surgery

By Sean Keane | Last updated 11/7/23

Robert Williams was thriving after the Boston Celtics traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers. Now he's out indefinitely.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III will require right knee surgery, sources tell ESPN. Conversations with doctors and his agent are ongoing about the kind of procedure necessary for Williams and how long of a timeline will be needed for recovery. pic.twitter.com/zhStKii8hl
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 6, 2023

Williams suffered an injury in only his sixth game as a Trail Blazer. Early in the fourth quarter, Williams was guarding Jaren Jackson Jr. when Jackson bumped him. Williams collapsed to the ground and had to leave the game with an injury to his kneecap.

It's more bad luck for Williams, who suffered nagging injuries during his first five seasons in Boston. Near the end of the 2021-22 season, Williams tore the meniscus on his right knee just before the end of the regular season, but rushed back for the playoffs. Then he had an additional surgery that limited him to 32 games in 2022-23.

Portland’s defense was stingy with Williams on the court, but with Deandre Ayton entrenched as the Blazers’ starter, this might affect the many teams expected to make trade offers for Williams this year. He has to decide between season-ending surgery or a cleanup procedure, but he’ll be out for months either way.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III is facing potential season-ending surgery to repair bone and ligament damage due to right kneecap injury, sources tell me and @JaredWeissNBA. Williams and doctors could also choose cleanup procedure with 2-to-3 month timetable.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 7, 2023

After rushing back for the playoffs two seasons ago and aggravating his knee, Williams could and should take his time coming back - especially since Portland was likely to trade him anyway. Perhaps by removing the pressure of a quick return - Portland isn’t making the playoffs, and Williams is signed through 2025-26 - the young big man can finally get his knees healthy and return to being one of the NBA’s best defenders.

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