PHILADELPHIA — Grant Williams was writhing on the courtroom in ache. He was holding his face, crouched down with two knees on the ground, and at last emerged to go sit on the Celtics bench. His face was bloodied.
The Celtics ahead had simply taken the shot of all photographs. As Jaylen Brown fouled Joel Embiid with 5:08 remaining within the fourth quarter, our bodies have been flying. Brown had dove to the ground for a unfastened ball, and he took our bodies with him. He collided with Williams. As they each crashed to the ground, Embiid was attempting to maintain his stability when he inadvertently stomped straight on Williams’ head.
All the burden of the 76ers 280-pounder’s proper foot, proper on Williams’ cranium.
“When I saw Grant get his head stepped on by a 300-pound individual, to see that live was crazy, seeing that in real time,” Brown stated. “It was probably the craziest thing I’ve seen on a basketball court.”
Williams discovered the video after the sport, and although he had already lived it, the visible was simply as jarring.
“Dang, I really got curb stomped,” Williams stated.
Williams, after all, left the sport. But solely briefly. He was attended to by Celtics trainers for a minute earlier than he checked again in. It appeared as if he had escaped a probably severe harm from the stomp, and Embiid made certain to apologize to him once they met again on the courtroom.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had no situation placing Williams proper again into the fireplace.
“He can handle it,” Mazzulla stated.
The sequence was one other instance of how a lot Williams means to the Celtics, particularly on this sequence towards Embiid. Williams didn’t rating some extent in Friday night time’s Game 3 victory, however continued to play admirable protection, and take a violent shot to his head, in doing so. During a tumultuous season wherein his minutes and position has declined, his willingness to do what’s requested at any time when wanted continues to go a good distance.
“I didn’t see what actually happened until after the game. That was kind of nasty,” Jayson Tatum stated. “Obviously, it was incidental, however I stated it earlier, Grant does numerous issues that don’t at all times present up within the stat sheet. His worth to our workforce is extraordinarily necessary. I feel that actually confirmed tonight. …
“That (uncertain playing time) has to be tough, but I think that’s a testament to his character and him being a professional. Staying ready. On off days, Grant is in there playing 5-on-5 with the low-minute guys, and not necessarily knowing when he’s going to play, but just being ready. We talk to him all the time of just keeping your head, we’re going to need you at some point. You’re going to play tonight. Tonight showed that.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com