At this stage of the season, players are often banged up and bruised. That's at least the case for Celtics center Robert Williams III, who continues to be hampered by a nagging knee injury.
The injury has forced Williams to miss several games in the postseason, including Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. And when he has played, Williams has looked both amazing and quite limited at the same time.
Williams' vacillating play is the direct result of a knee surgery he had in late March. He was able to return for the first round of the NBA Playoffs but has been dealing with lingering knee soreness all postseason.
Will Williams be out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors? Here is what we know about his injury.
MORE: How Warriors weaponize Draymond Green's greatest weakness
What is Robert Williams III's injury?
According to an official announcement on March 30, Williams underwent a partial left knee meniscectomy and was given a four-to-six week timetable to return.
After missing the remainder of the regular season and the first two games of the Celtics' first-round matchup with the Nets, Williams returned in Game 3 of the opening round.
Williams played in five straight playoff games before he was ruled out of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with left knee soreness. A "little flare-up" kept Williams sidelined for Games 5 and 6 as well. Williams was cleared for Game 7 but he didn't end up playing as the Celtics opted to be cautious and not disrupt any rhythm they already had created heading into the matchup.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, Williams played in the first two games before missing Game 3. He returned for Game 4 but only played for a little over 18 minutes. He played over 26 minutes in Games 5 and 6 but in Game 7, he was on the court for 14 minutes.
Ime Udoka said Robert Williams is "OK" but still dealing with swelling that limits his movement. Udoka said Williams can't be himself right now, but his presence playing through pain was huge.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 30, 2022
"What he gives us out there is invaluable."
Is Robert Williams III playing tonight vs. Warriors?
Williams is listed as questionable with left knee soreness going into Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Through 11 games, Williams is averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21.4 minutes in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. He's shooting 63.5 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the free-throw line.
What channel is Warriors vs. Celtics on?
- Date: Thursday, June 2
- TV channel: ABC
- Live streaming: Sling TV | Watch ESPN
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will air on ABC. Viewers can also stream Game 1 on Watch ESPN or Sling TV.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Finals game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Finals games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.
MORE: Watch the NBA Finals on Sling TV (U.S. only)
Warriors vs. Celtics start time
- Date: Thursday, June 2
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will tip off around 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 2. The game will be played at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Warriors vs. Celtics series schedule
Here is the full schedule for the 2022 NBA Finals.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| June 2 | Game 1 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 5 | Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| June 8 | Game 3 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 10 | Game 4 | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 13 | Game 5* | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 16 | Game 6* | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| June 19 | Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ABC |
*If necessary