The Portland Trail Blazers will look to bounce back against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday after Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. They may be without backup center Robert Williams during the second night of a back-to-back.
Williams is questionable for the game with Brooklyn because of a left knee injury. The veteran center has been nursing his left knee since undergoing surgery last March and has missed the start of this season.
However, Williams has played his best basketball of the season recently. The 28-year-old has averaged 10.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks on 66.7 percent shooting in 21.1 minutes per game over his last seven appearances.
He posted six points, 12 rebounds and three blocks on 3-of-5 shooting in 20 minutes during Sunday's 109-103 loss to the 76ers.
Robert Williams questionable for Nets matchup as Trail Blazers fight for play-in position
Williams' presence on Monday will give the Trail Blazers a significant advantage against a Nets team with only one available center. Nick Claxton is available for Brooklyn after missing Saturday's loss at Philadelphia due to rest. However, Deron Sharp has been ruled out for the season, leaving the team without a traditional center on the second unit.
The Trail Blazers are fighting for a spot in the Western Conference play-in race. They are 10th at 3-5, half a game behind the ninth-place Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Nets have lost three in a row while moving to a more aggressive tank after back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies. Brooklyn will be without Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Noah Clowney (rest), Terrence Mann (left Achilles soreness), Igor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management) and Sharp (left thumb UCL tear) on Monday.
