ROBERT WILLIAMS, BOSTON CELTICS
Robert Williams set multiple career-highs and nearly triple-doubled in Friday's 118-102 win over Houston, racking up 20 points (9-of-9 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks in 26 minutes.
Good grief. Williams joins Nikola Jokic and Wilt Chamberlain (3x) as the only centers with a 20/8/8 game on 100% shooting in NBA history (h/t Statmuse). His defense and ability to put pressure on the rim offensively is well known, but his playmaking has really stood out too -- this was his 7th game in 2021 with at least four dimes. The Celtics struck out in the buyout market in their pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Drummond, but that’s great news for Williams as he’s set up to be an early-rounder the rest of the way even when Tristan Thompson returns. In the last two weeks, Williams ranks 33rd in 9-cat with 8.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.5 blocks even before this gem of a line. The sky's the limit.