Celtics

Robert Williams reportedly tests positive for COVID-19, 2 other Celtics forced to quarantine

Williams, Tristan Thompson, and Grant Williams will at least miss the Celtics' next four games.

Robert Williams. Chris Szagola / AP, File

January 8, 2021

Celtics center Robert Williams has tested positive for COVID-19, according to The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Williams is asymptomatic, Himmelsbach added.

In addition to Williams, center Tristan Thompson and forward Grant Williams will have to quarantine for at least seven days, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

All three players were placed on Thursday’s injury report for health and safety protocols and were all listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Wizards. Guard Carsen Edwards, who was listed on Thursday’s injury report for the same reason, is reportedly not a close contact trace and is listed as available to play in Friday’s game against the Wizards.

In addition to Friday’s game, the seven-day quarantine will force the three players to miss games against the Heat, Bulls, and Magic. With the absence of Thompson and Robert Williams, Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall will be the Celtics’ only available big men for the next four games.

Celtics guard Javonte Green recently went through a similar situation. He was placed on the injury report due to health and safety protocols on Dec. 30 and was taken off the injury report on Thursday.

The quarantine for the three players will leave the Celtics with potentially just 11 players over the next stretch. Guards Kemba Walker and Romeo Langford remain out while guard Jeff Teague is questionable due to an ankle sprain.

If more players are forced to quarantine over the next few days, games could be in jeopardy. The NBA’s rules require teams to be able to suit up at least eight players in order for games to be played.