The Boston Celtics played their first game of the 2019 NBA Summer League on Saturday, and former Vol Grant Williams was a key contributor off the bench.
In the Celtics’ 96-82 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, Williams served as a sixth man of sorts, coming off the bench and playing the third-most minutes of any of the Celtics’ young players.
And Williams made those minutes count.
The former Vol played 20 minutes and totaled 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. He finished the game shooting 4-of-8 overall from the floor, and he connected on two of his four three-pointers. He was also 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Williams finished the game tied with Javonte Green for the second-most points scored by a Celtic in the game. Former Purdue guard Carsen Edwards led the way with 20 points on 5-of-12 shooting from three. Williams’ plus/minus of +21 led the team.
It wasn’t just Williams’ box score that impressed, though. The plays he made on the court drew plenty of praise, too.
Williams’ first bucket of the game came on an inbounds play where he was fed the ball in the paint and he finished the play with a slam.
Hey Grant Williams we see you! #NBASummerLeague #Vols pic.twitter.com/2yryZEP37r
— Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) July 6, 2019
Later on, Williams’ basketball IQ made him stand out. As Andrew Kurzeja points out, Williams made a couple of smart moves late in the fourth quarter. He initiates a pick-and-roll, makes a smart pass back to the perimeter, then shows solid awareness to move back out to the perimeter and get open for a three.
Grant Williams excites me a lot. This is a 6’7″, 240lb forward initiating pick-and-roll, making the correct read off of a hard gap stunt and with the awareness to relocate and hit an open three.
This is not normal. #NBASummerLeague #Celtics pic.twitter.com/56M64p8SkW
— Andrew Kurzeja (@AndrewKurzeja) July 7, 2019
The Celtics will be back in action on Monday, July 8th when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The game will be on NBA TV at 7:30 PM Eastern.
If you want to watch full highlights of Grant Williams’ debut in the NBA Summer League, check them out below:
