Boston Celtics center Robert Williams came off the bench late in the first quarter of Saturday's 109-103 Game 3 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Williams hadn't played since March 27 when he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was initially expected to miss four-to-six weeks.
Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said pregame that Williams would play 20-24 minutes, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Williams wound up playing 16 minutes, recording two points, two rebounds, one assist, and one swat.
Williams averaged 10 points, 9.6 boards, 2.2 blocks, and two assists over a career-high 61 appearances in his first campaign as the Celtics' full-time starting center. His rim-protecting prowess was an important part of the club's top-ranked defense.
Boston can close out Brooklyn with a victory Monday in Game 4.
