Robert Williams out for 4-to-6 weeks / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

After undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee this morning, Boston Celtics center Robert Williams is expected to return within 4-to-6 weeks, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Robert Williams

MIN:29.58PTS:9.95 (73.36%)REB:9.66As:1.98ST:0.93BL:2.18TO:1.03GM:61ProfileNBA2021/2022

The latter timetable could land Williams back in the lineup as soon as the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

There's some optimism of a return on the shorter end of that 4-to-6 week timeline, per the report. The conference semifinals are expected to start around April 30-to-May 2.

The Celtics are the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with 47 wins and 29 defeats. They are one win behind the leaders – Miami Heat.

Williams, 24, suffered the injury Sunday at the end of the third quarter of the Celtics' win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He limped off the court and did not return. The team called it a left knee sprain. Williams had 13 points and 10 rebounds before departing.

He has been a revelation this season for the Celtics. Williams has played in a career-high 61 games and started all of them. He is averaging 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, all career highs.

Williams has career averages of 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 174 games (77 starts) for the Celtics, who selected him No. 27 overall in the 2018 draft.

Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.