The Celtics are staring down another test of their frontcourt depth, and this time it comes with a familiar twist: Amari Williams might be back in the spotlight.
With Atlanta on deck and both Neemias Queta (illness) and Luka Garza (illness) uncertain to play, Boston could be walking into Wednesday’s matchup down two of its few true big men. That’s not exactly new territory for a Celtics team that’s been threading the needle all season when it comes to center depth. But it does bring the margins into sharp focus - again.
And when the margins get tight, Williams keeps finding his way into the picture.
He wasn’t supposed to be a rotation guy this early. But the NBA doesn’t wait for perfect timing. Between injuries, illnesses, and the grind of back-to-backs, Boston’s been forced to lean on the rookie more than expected - and Williams is making the most of it.
Take Monday night against Portland. With Garza sidelined and Queta limited, Williams saw real minutes - not just mop-up duty - and showed he belonged.
He did the dirty work: rebounding, setting hard screens, protecting the rim, and finishing plays. Nothing flashy, but exactly what the Celtics needed.
That kind of contribution doesn’t go unnoticed. Payton Pritchard singled out Williams postgame, praising his feel for the game - especially his passing and decision-making.
Those are the traits that earn trust fast in Joe Mazzulla’s system, where quick reads and smart play are non-negotiables. Mazzulla himself pointed to Williams’ ability to create separation with screens and hold his own defensively against size.
That’s high praise from a coach who values execution over hype.
And it matters even more heading into Wednesday’s clash with Atlanta, because the Hawks are dealing with their own frontcourt issues. Kristaps Porzingis is out again with Achilles tendinitis, a frustratingly familiar storyline.
When healthy, Porzingis can tilt the floor. But “when healthy” has been the caveat too often.
Without him, Atlanta’s interior presence takes a major hit - and suddenly, Boston’s thin front line isn’t such a disadvantage.
That’s where Williams comes in. The Celtics don’t need him to dominate.
They don’t need him to stretch the floor or rack up points. What they need is simple: physicality, rebounding, and smart decisions.
The kind of things that keep Jaylen Brown from having to fight through a wall of bodies every time he drives, and that help keep the team’s defensive structure intact.
This is where roster philosophy meets reality. Boston knew it was rolling the dice by not adding another proven big.
They bet on internal development, versatility, and stopgap solutions. That approach only works if guys like Williams can step into uncomfortable situations and hold the line.
Monday was a good sign. Wednesday is the next test.
If Queta can’t go and Garza is still limited, Williams isn’t just logging minutes - he’s filling a real need against a team that’s also shorthanded inside. And for a rookie trying to carve out a role in a title-contending rotation, these are the moments that matter. Not the highlight plays, but the nights where doing the little things right helps the team stay on course.
The Celtics don’t need a star turn from Amari Williams.
They just need him to keep doing what he’s doing.
And if he does, that bet on depth might just keep paying off.