Surgery to Sideline Williams III for Entire Season, Confirms Insider Source

The Portland Star Suffers Knee Injury, Requires Season-Ending Surgery

The center of the Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Williams III, will have to undergo surgery on his right knee, which will effectively end his season, according to sources from ESPN.

It is anticipated that Williams, who sustained damage to his kneecap and ligaments during Sunday’s defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies, will make a full recovery by the start of the 2024-25 season, the sources stated.

Sources added that Williams is scheduled to undergo surgery next week.

Trade Rumors Surrounding Williams III

Williams, who was acquired in a trade with the Boston Celtics in September as part of the Jrue Holiday deal, has been the subject of trade speculation, with several teams hoping the Blazers would move him before the February trade deadline. Portland had been considering pairing Williams III with Deandre Ayton, who arrived from Phoenix in exchange for Damian Lillard.

The 26-year-old Williams has established himself as one of the premier rim protectors in the league, leading the NBA in field goal percentage allowed, as reported by Second Spectrum.

Williams missed the beginning of the 2022-23 season with the Celtics due to surgery on his left knee during the offseason. He also suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in March 2022.

In 2022, Williams was named to the second-team All-NBA defensive selection and had his best season in the NBA, averaging 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game during the Celtics’ run to the league Finals, where they fell short.