rant Williams logged his first DNP in almost two years all through Wednesday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a stunning demotion for a participant who had been a key bench contributor for lots of the previous two seasons.G
Was this an remoted incident or indicative of a diminishing function for a fourth-year ahead who wager on himself coming into a contract year?
Head educate Joe Mazzulla’s preliminary postgame response to an inquiry about Williams’ DNP was once a single-word response: "Matchups."
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Not looking to play an undersized large towards Cleveland’s daunting the front line makes some experience on the surface, however checking the monitoring records from the remaining assembly (the only sport that Williams performed in in opposition to the Cavaliers after being suspended for the first game) exhibits Cleveland used to be simply 4-of-12 capturing in opposition to him.
Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley had been a mixed 2-of-3 taking pictures for a mere 4 factors in that game. Williams used to be one of the solely gamers to have success corralling Donovan Mitchell. The Celtics had been plus-4 in Williams’ bench-high 31 minutes, 37 seconds of motion that night.
Pressed on the topic, Mazzulla stated he desired to have greater rim protection. The Celtics went with Sam Hauser and Mike Muscala as early bench bigs and the Cavaliers tried to make the most these matchups, albeit to restrained success with Muscala enormously protecting opponents to seven factors on 3-of-11 shooting, per NBA trackin