The Portland Trail Blazers don’t have much to get excited about these days. Friday night was a different story.
In what was a great chance to see where they stack up against a championship-contender, the Blazers faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Honestly, their eventual loss couldn’t have caught them off guard due to the talent disparity. However, as a rebuilding team, moral victories can be as important as whether they win the game.
In this case, Portland might have been dissatisfied by the end result, but they can be happy about at least one player’s performance.
Blazers Shot-Blocking Specialist Robert Williams III Makes Long-Awaited Return
With 3:13 remaining in the first quarter, big man Robert Williams III checked into a game for the first time since sustaining a patellar dislocation against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 5, 2023. At 369 days, Williams had been sidelined longer than any player in the NBA (h/t HoopsHype). Suffice it to say, it was a momentous occasion for the former first-round pick.
Robert Williams III checks in #RipCity pic.twitter.com/QxIKvvk33J
— DJACK (@topshotblazers) November 9, 2024
He scored his first basket since Nov. 5 with one second remaining in the first quarter, double-tapping a tip-in.
First bucket back for Rob Will 💪 pic.twitter.com/7OChz3GZaB
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 9, 2024
Perhaps that removed some jitters, because Williams picked up the pace after that.
He skied to tip-in a lob in the Blazers’ first attempt of the second quarter. He followed that up by nailing a pair of free-throws, finishing another alley-oop, then making terrific defensive plays. His defense was what was most exhilarating, as he’s earned a reputation as a spine-chilling shot-blocker.
Robert Williams III extends as highest he can get to score that tip in off a lob by Sharpe.
Back-to-back great defense as well (with replays) pic.twitter.com/emnlxgf3yY— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) November 9, 2024
However, by the end of the second quarter, Williams had made his first career three-pointer.
FIRST CAREER 3 FOR ROB 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/YyXyXLL9g6
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 9, 2024
At halftime, he went into the locker room with 13 points, two steals, and one block while going 4-5 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line. Maybe dominant isn’t the right word but he looks like he hasn’t missed a beat.
What a shift from Robert Williams III after being away for over a year:
11 minutes
13 points
4/5 FGA
4/4 FTA
1/1 3FG
3 REBS
1 AST
2 STLS
1 BLK— Danny Marang (@DannyMarang) November 9, 2024
That bodes well for the Blazers, whether they see him in their long-term plans or they’re looking at his trade value.
