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Robert Williams is a top-tier defensive center, but his availability on the court has been a recurring concern. Unfortunately, this week the Trail Blazers revealed that Williams has sustained a grade 1 hamstring strain, putting his status for the season opener in doubt. He will undergo re-evaluation in two weeks for further assessment.

INJURY UPDATE: Robert Williams III experienced a grade 1 left hamstring strain during training camp this week.

He is expected to miss two weeks, and his status will be updated as appropriate.

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 4, 2024

This is a significant setback for Williams, who is fighting with rookie Donovan Clingan for minutes at center behind Deandre Ayton. Fan favorite Duop Reath is also in the mix for minutes.

Williams, who came to Portland in the Jrue Holiday trade with Boston, played just six games for Portland last season after undergoing early season knee surgery. However, he was reportedly back from that and had been playing full-contact 5-on-5 scrimmages in Trail Blazers training camp. Williams played 35 games in his final season in Boston.

When healthier for the 2021-22 season, in which Williams played 61 games for Boston, he made the All-Defensive Team. If he can get healthy and get back to that level, there will be minutes for him in Portland.