Adrian Wojnarowski, Senior NBA Insider November 10, 2023, 12:29 p.m. ET
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- Host of The Woj Pod
- Joined ESPN in 2017
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III will undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Sources said Williams, who suffered a kneecap and ligament injury in Sunday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to be fully recovered by the start of the 2024-25 season.
According to sources, Williams is expected to undergo the procedure early next week.
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Williams, who arrived in September as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Boston Celtics, had been a trade target for several teams hoping the Blazers would consider a move before the February trade deadline. Portland paired Deandre Ayton with Williams, who came from Phoenix as part of the Damian Lillard trade.
The 26-year-old Williams has proven to be one of the league’s elite rim protectors and leads the NBA in field goal percentage allowed. He is the tightest defender among players who can stop 1,000 shots per Second Spectrum.
Williams missed the start of the 2022-23 season for the Celtics after undergoing offseason surgery on his left knee. He also tore the meniscus in his left knee in March 2022.
Williams had his best NBA season in 2021-22 and was a second-team All-NBA defensive selection as the Celtics made it to the NBA Finals. He started 61 games, averaging 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.