The membership obtained excellent news on the standing of Derrick White, who left Saturday’s recreation 4 minutes in after sustaining a neck pressure in a collision with Marcus Good. White is possible to play Monday, giving the Celtics a wholesome roster, moreover Brown.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens has about 25 days to find out whether or not the Celtics want reinforcements earlier than the stretch run. The commerce deadline is Feb. 9, however depth doesn’t appear to be a difficulty with Williams again within the fold and enjoying persistently.
Heart is a difficult place as a result of Mazzulla needs to be cautious with the minutes of Al Horford and Williams, placing the onus on gamers corresponding to Luke Kornet. Kornet has exceeded all expectations, however Stevens must decide whether or not the Celtics want one other large man for assist.
Blake Griffin was signed to maybe fill that reserve large man position, however he has served as extra of a spot-player and constructive locker room presence. Griffin has logged simply 26 minutes since Dec. 13 and has solely performed twice this month.
The Celtics cleared a roster spot for flexibility by buying and selling Noah Vonleh to the Spurs. Vonleh made the roster out of coaching camp and the membership envisioned him being a bodily presence within the paint however he couldn’t keep out of foul bother and have become expendable with the presence of Kornet.
With Williams wholesome, the Celtics have extra depth at heart, however the query is how a lot does the group need to push Williams within the common season when he’ll serve his actual function within the playoffs. Their need is for Williams to play each recreation within the postseason — as a result of there are not any back-to-backs — and strategy the 30-minute mark with out risking harm or fatigue.
To maintain Williams recent, the Celtics nearly definitely will give him days off within the second half. However additionally they need to safe the No. 1 seed and personal home-court benefit all through the playoffs.
Earlier than Brooklyn’s residence recreation with Oklahoma Metropolis Sunday, the Celtics had been 3½ video games up on the second-place Nets and 4½ video games forward of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets might be with out celebrity Kevin Durant for not less than one other three weeks whereas the Bucks are 8-10 of their previous 18 video games whereas ready for All-Star Khris Middleton to return from a knee harm.
With Brown possible again in every week, and the Celtics dealing with simply 4 groups with profitable information over the following 12 video games, there may be ample alternative to place important distance between Boston and the opposite Japanese Convention opponents whereas additionally getting a robust indication of Williams’ influence.
Brogdon had nothing however compliments for Williams after Saturday’s win.
“Him with the ability to get on the offensive glass, I assumed that’s what really turned the sport round for us,” Brogdon stated. “Not solely did it give us additional pictures, additional threes, additional possessions, I assumed it gave us power. He was enjoying so exhausting. That was the start of our run.”
Williams unquestionably makes the Celtics a greater crew, however the membership doesn’t need to play him greater than half the sport. Somebody might want to adequately fill these minutes and Stevens must decide whether or not that participant is already on the roster.
The Celtics have the Dennis Schröder commerce exception of $5.8 million to soak up one other contract, or they may search the free-agent marketplace for gamers corresponding to DeMarcus Cousins or a Dwight Howard, however that seems unlikely.
There’s a actual alternative to place a robust grip on the No. 1 seed in coming weeks. The Celtics have seven full days off for the All-Star break after their Feb. 15 residence recreation towards the Pistons, that means Williams ought to get loads of break day that knee within the subsequent six weeks.
The time is now for the Celtics to show up the depth and acquire wins, making Monday’s recreation and this subsequent stretch towards struggling groups is pivotal for his or her long-term targets.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He may be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Observe him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.