Robert Williams III, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, suffered a serious patellar dislocation during the 2023-24 season, which caused him to miss the entire NBA campaign and left a notable void in his team’s defense.

Tatum shared a message of support on social media, wishing Williams a speedy recovery and success in his return. “Excited to see my brotha back out there,” Tatum wrote.

Robert Williams III has spoken about his recovery process and his excitement to return to play. “I’m in a great space right now. It’s been a long seven months. A long fight back. I’m ready to get back on the court, man. You see me smiling. There was a point when I couldn’t walk.”

Celtics’ controversial Robert Williams III trade

In October 2023, the Boston Celtics traded Robert Williams III to the Trail Blazers for Jrue Holiday. Despite some criticism, the Celtics consider this trade a good decision. Holiday can fill a similar role to Marcus Smart, both on defense and offense.

Additionally, his ability to create scoring opportunities for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be beneficial for the Celtics. The Celtics’ decision to trade Williams was controversial, but now, with Williams’ return to the court, it will be easier to assess whether it was the right choice.

In fact, among the most anticipated returns for this season was Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, and Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the Canadian point guard was listed as a day-to-day by the Nuggets, according to Sean Cunningham of ABC 10 Sacramento. While Middleton won’t have his return to court at least for the first few weeks, according to Shams Charania of the Athletic.

Other key players such as Lonzo Ball, who had a break out last season with the Chicago Bulls, will be out for the upcoming season due to a knee surgery from which he will be recovering. As well as Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, who is expected to be back at least on December, according to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. However, there are players who could come back earlier but at least not for the season opener.

NBA News: Themost notable absences for the 2022-23 NBA Season Opening Week

1.Dennis Schroder

With the Los Angeles Lakers many things could come up as the 2022-23 NBA Season progresses. However, the last thing they need is that their most recent signed playerout for their season opener against the Golden State Warriors. In fact, Schroder is expected to be out forthree-to-four weeks after a surgery on histhumb.

2.Jaren Jackson Jr

One of the key players in the Memphis Grizzlies, alongside Ja Morant won’t be on the court for the season opener against theNew York Knicks at the FedEx Forum in Tennesse. In fact,head coach Taylor Jenkins saidon Monday, Jackson Jr will become availablefor 5-on-5 drills in the next couple of weeks.

3.LaMelo Ball

LaMelo Ballwon’t play neither the season opener, nor alongside his brother LiAngelo, who was cut short from the Charlotte Hornets roster days before the final cut ended. According to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer, Ball is“highly doubtful” for the season-opener game against theSan Antonio Spurs.

4.Seth Curry

According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Seth Curry won’t be available for the Brooklyn Nets’ season opener against theNew Orleans Pelicans due to an ankle undisclosed injury, but he will continue to practice. Last season, Curry played 62 regular-season gamesfor the Nets.

5.Robert Williams III

The Boston Celtics won’t have one the key playerson their roster for the upcoming season openerafter asuccessful arthroscopic procedure on his left knee. In fact, the 25-year-old is expected to be absent for8-to-12 weeks, according to ESPN.

But that just only his first chapter in the biggestNBA stage. Manyplayers like Shaq, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard made astonishing defensive performances in the finals in more than one season. Especifically, since the 2000 NBA Finals, there have beenseveral players who dominanted the paint in the finals.

For example, Giannis Antetokounmpoin his first NBA Finals series made 11 blocks in 6 games. Another one is Anthony Davis who registered12 blocks in his first 6 NBA Finals games back in 2020. As for the Warriors’ champion Andrew Wiggins he pulled up 9 blocks in the past 6 games of the 2022 NBA Finals.

Robert Williams III tops Shaq in blocks per game in the finalssince 2000

But the Williams III case is something unseen in this century. He pulled up 17 blocks in 6 games, to average 2.8 blocks per game in the 2022 NBA Finals. Not even Draymond Green had this stat in any of his playoffs run.Whereas, before this finals the list was headed by Tim Duncanwith 70 blocks in 29 games to average 2.4 blocks per game in hisNBA Career.

As for the rest of this list, Ben Wallace is thethird with 2.2 blocks per game, whileDwight Howard and Anthony Davis tie with 2 blocks per game both.That leaves Shaqwith 2 blocks per game, also. But he’sgot a total of 52 blocks in 26 games, something crazy even for him.