Celtics Add Key Rotation Player to Injury Report

Ahead of tonight's game against the Pistons, the Celtics have added Grant Williams to the injury report.

#NEBHInjuryReport update vs. Detroit:

Aaron Nesmith (right ankle sprain) - OUT
Grant Williams (illness, non-COVID) - QUESTIONABLE
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 11, 2022

In Boston's last three games, wins against the Grizzlies, Nets, and Hornets, Williams, whose averaging 23.8 minutes per game this season, has played 35, 18, and 31 minutes, respectively.

The Celtics' turnaround has coincided with Ime Udoka trimming their rotation to eight players. Sometimes, that gets reduced to seven or two players further down the bench, like Payton Pritchard and Daniel Theis share the role of the eighth man. So if Williams doesn't play tonight, while it does create an opportunity for the likes of Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, and Kelan Martin, it's more likely Theis absorbs at least the bulk of Williams' minutes.

Another option is to use this game as an opportunity to play Jayson Tatum at the four more frequently than has often been the case this season, as Boston typically has two bigs on the floor.

As for Nesmith, he sprained his ankle in last Thursday's win against Memphis. It happened when he came down awkwardly after contesting a Desmond Bane layup, badly rolling his ankle in the process. He was helped off the floor and then into a wheelchair.

The Celtics ruled Nesmith out a day in advance of Friday's matchup. On Thursday, Udoka said of his recovery: "It's going to be a while."

Friday night's game between the Celtics and Pistons tips off at 7:30 ET at TD Garden. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game coming out before, during, and after. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Update: The Celtics announce that Grant Williams is available for tonight's game.

Further Reading

Film Study: Jayson Tatum Takes Over the Game, Scoring 16 Points in the Fourth Quarter of Wednesday's Win vs. Hornets

What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Hornets: Jayson Tatum Takes Over the Fourth Quarter to help Boston Earn 15th Victory in 17 Games

'When I came here many years ago, he was one of the many big reasons why I came to Boston...I'm just happy to get to watch him get another opportunity': Al Horford Discusses Facing Former Teammate Isaiah Thomas

Profile on Celtics' Latest Signing, Nik Stauskas

Profile on Celtics' Newest Signing, Matt Ryan

The Trials, Tribulations, and Growth of Ime Udoka in His First Year as Celtics' Head Coach

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