Grant Williams’ missed free throws in Celtics loss hurts extra after telling Donovan Mitchell he’d make them

The Boston Celtics have owned one of the best file within the NBA for nearly all the season, however the group is instantly beginning to slip after the All-Star break. Boston’s struggles within the symbolic second half continued on Monday evening after they misplaced the Cleveland Cavaliers, 118-114, in time beyond regulation. It’s the third straight loss for the Celtics, and their fourth loss within the final 5 video games.

The loss was particularly tough for Grant Williams. Williams had an opportunity to win the sport in regulation when he went to the foul line for 2 photographs with the rating tied at 109 and beneath one second remaining on the clock. As Williams stepped to the road, Cavs star Donovan Mitchell walked as much as him and tried to psyche him out. Williams appeared to reply by saying “I’m going to make each.”

In fact, he missed each, and the Celtics would lose in time beyond regulation.

Cleveland head coach JB Bickerstaff iced Williams with a timeout after he missed the primary one. The lengthy wait earlier than the second shot completed its mission by getting in Williams’ head, and he proceeded to overlook the second shot, too.

The tip by Marcus Good fell simply brief. The Cavs would win the sport in time beyond regulation.

Williams was one of many breakout function gamers on the Celtics’ shocking run to the NBA Finals final season. Boston in the end fell two wins wanting a championship, however the toughness, protection, and flooring spacing Williams supplied made him really feel indispensable. Whereas Williams has nonetheless been superb this yr, he’s scoring barely much less effectively, is popping the ball over extra usually, and simply total seems like he’s urgent somewhat bit. Williams isn’t simply taking part in a championship, he’s additionally taking part in for a brand new contract this summer season. He’s reported searching for $20 million per season. It’s straightforward to seek out followers mocking him for that request with a fast search of Twitter.

The Celtics have instantly fallen two video games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 1 seed within the East. The Bucks and Celtics seem like on a collision court docket for the Jap Convention Finals, and it will actually damage Boston if a possible Sport 7 in that collection was performed on Milwaukee’s dwelling flooring. The Celtics famously beat the Bucks — with out injured wing Khris Middleton — in Sport 7 of their second spherical playoff collection final yr in Boston.

The Celtics are adequate to drag themselves out of this temporary funk. They want Williams taking part in like one of the best model of himself to make it occur.