Robert Williams could make his return to the Celtics lineup

Williams has been out since March 1 due to a hamstring injury.

The Celtics have recently experienced some difficulties, but they may soon receive some good news.

According to coach Joe Mazzulla, center Robert Williams, who has been sidelined with a hamstring issue for some time, could play against the Kings on Tuesday.

“He was on the court today working,” Mazzulla said. “I spoke to him yesterday and he seemed like he was in a good space. He seemed like he was getting closer.”

Williams’s pending return is certainly good news for the Celtics, who have gone 4-5 in their last nine games, including the March 1 game against the Nets when Williams got hurt.

Robert Williams

Williams’s absence loomed large in the Celtics’ loss to the Jazz on Saturday. Utah gathered 17 offensive rebounds, leading to a whopping 20 second-chance points in its 118-117 win over Boston.

Williams has been one of the most important players for the Celtics despite not playing much this year due to knee surgery he had just before training camp. Williams’s 106.8 defensive rating is the second-best on the team this season among players who’ve played at least 20 games (only Payton Pritchard, who’s been in and out of the rotation has a better defensive rating). Williams and Derrick White share the team lead with a combined 9.9 net rating. He also has an offensive rating of 116.7.

For comparison, the Celtics have a 115.5 offensive rating and a 112.2 defensive rating in March, giving them a 3.3 net rating in the month.

Williams is averaging 24.2 minutes per game while scoring 8.4 points, grabbing 8.6 rebounds, and blocking 1.2 shots.

Celtics center Robert Williams will be active for Tuesday’s game against the Kings, per Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe . Point guard Marcus Smart and big man Al Horford will also be able to suit up for Boston.

Williams has missed 44 games so far this season due to various illnesses. He has most recently missed Boston’s previous eight games due to a hamstring ailment. The 6’9″ big man has averaged 8.4 PPG on 75% shooting for the Celtics this season. He’s also chipping in 8.6 RPG, 1.5 APG and 1.2 BPG.

There’s more out of Boston:

Williams’ recent extended absence and Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum’s poor shooting, according to Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston, are major contributors to the team’s recent performance downturn. That said, the team has also suffered some inexplicable defeats recently, staggering instead of striding toward the Eastern Conference playoffs.

After an 8-7 run over their last 15 games, the Celtics are now the No. 3 seed in the East. The Athletic’s Jared Weiss discusses the steps Boston may take to recover from its current slump and step up its performance in the final stretch of the season.

As we previously discussed, the Celtics could be in line to receive a very valuable bonus second-round draft pick courtesy of the Trail Blazers or Rockets, thanks to stipulations from two separate trades.

Williams has been one of the most important players for the Celtics despite not playing much this year due to knee surgery he had just before training camp. Williams’s 106.8 defensive rating is the second-best on the team this season among players who’ve played at least 20 games (only Payton Pritchard, who’s been in and out of the rotation has a better defensive rating). Williams and Derrick White share the team lead with a combined 9.9 net rating. He also has an offensive rating of 116.7.

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