The Boston Celtics are set to square off against the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It is a crucial basketball game, with the series tied 2-2. Historically, when a series is tied at two game apiece, the winner of Game 5 wins the series more than 80 percent of the time.
Both teams have been dealing with injuries to stars throughout the series. For the Celtics, the big question marks surrounded the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, and All-NBA Defensive Second Team center Robert Williams.
Just moments ago, the Celtics revealed their official status for Game 5.
The Celtics say Marcus Smart and Robert Williams are both available to play tonight in Game 5.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 25, 2022
According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, both Smart and Robert Williams are both available to play Wednesday night.
That could be potentially a huge boost for Boston, but just because they are available to play, does not necessarily mean that they will play.
The Celtics point guard has been dealing with an ankle sprain suffered in Game 3 of this series. He did not play in Game 4 in Boston, but the Celtics cruised without him. The bigger concern likely is that of Robert Williams.
Williams has been dealing with knee soreness throughout the playoffs. He suffered a knee injury and missed the final month of the regular season and has been in and out of the lineup in the playoffs. In the series against the Heat, the Celtics center has played three games. In those games, Heat center Bam Adebayo has scored a total of 25 points. In Game 3 that Williams missed, Adebayo scored 31 points.
Miami is dealing with injuries of their own. Sixth Man of the Year, Tyler Herro, has been ruled out for this game. Jimmy Butler is dealing with a knee injury of his own and other players are banged up as well.
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