Ex-Celtics Fan Favorite Drains Unlikely Shot In Return From Injury

Time stood still for a moment for former Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III when he made his long-awaited season debut with the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Williams took the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 127-102 loss for the Trail Blazers and finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

Williams, as he normally does, had a highlight moment, but it wasn’t from a ferocious alley-oop finish or a vicious block into the stands. Instead, it came from Williams draining an unlikely shot in his first game action in over a year.

Williams took a pass from Scoot Henderson and swished a 3-pointer from the corner, giving the 2018 first-round pick with the Celtics his first made triple of his six-year NBA career. The shot came as a surprise since Williams was known more for his ability around the hoop when he was with Boston, but clearly he has worked on his offensive range. He attempted just four 3-pointers in five seasons with the Celtics.

Just playing again was a win for Williams, who had a bumpy road ever since the Celtics traded him along with Malcolm Brogdon to the Trail Blazers for Jrue Holiday prior to last season. Williams played just six games last season before he tore a ligament in his right knee that needed to be surgically repaired and this season got off to a delayed start for the 6-foot-9, 237-pound rim protector when he sustained a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

Williams certainly will look to stay healthy and provide the Trail Blazers with more highlight-reel plays over the course of the season. Just don’t bet on them coming from beyond the arc.