Is Robert Williams Playing Tonight? Injury Update Ahead of Celtics vs Heat Game 1

Update (Monday, May 16, 3 p.m. ET): Head coach Ime Udoka said that Robert Williams will be active and without restrictions for Tuesday's Game 1. Having a healthy Williams should give Boston a bump on both sides of the ball, and he'd really help make up for the potential absence of Marcus Smart.

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams has only suited up for five of the team's 11 games throughout the NBA Playoffs. The efforts of backup option Grant Williams helped the Celtics to erase a 3-2 deficit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and earn a matchup against the Miami Heat, though.

Don't get it twisted, Celtics fans are still holding their breath waiting to know when Williams will return to the lineup. He was available for Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks, but he ultimately saw no playing time.

Is Robert Williams Playing Tonight?

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 17. Fortunately, all signs point to Williams being back on the floor.

Celtics vs Heat Game 1

Head coach Ime Udoka told reporters on Sunday that Williams had been managing his pain and was structurally sound. The 24-year-old has now had over a week of rest and should play on Tuesday, even if he doesn't start. Williams is averaging 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks this postseason on an average of 20 minutes played.

Is Robert Williams Playing in Game 1?

Robert Williams Injury Update

Interestingly enough, the Celtics are 5-1 in games Williams has missed during the postseason. Grant Williams tends to start in his place at power forward as Al Horford shifts to the center position and just poured in a whopping 27 points (10-of-22 shooting) and 6 rebounds in a Game 7 win.

Eastern Conference Finals

With or without Williams, the Celtics are going to have to work hard to jump out to a 1-0 series lead when on the road Tuesday. FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA Odds show Boston as 1.5-point underdogs (-110 to cover) and +108 moneyline underdogs.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.