WATCH: Grant Williams takes over Game 7 with electric shooting performance
The Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals behind an incredible Game 7 performance by Grant Williams. Williams finished the game with 27 points, six rebounds and two blocks — helping lift Boston in a dominant second half that saw them beat Milwaukee 109-81.
Grant Williams leads the way in Game 7
On top of strong defense throughout the game, Williams helped turn the fourth quarter into a showcase for Boston after a series of plays that set the crowd into a frenzy. Beginning with a defensive effort against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Williams was inadvertently hit in the face and took several seconds to get off the ground while pleading to the referees for a foul call.
Williams responded with a huge three-point shot, leading the crowd in cheers and beginning a stretch that would end the game well before the final whistle. On a play not long after, Williams caught an errant pass by the sideline with the shot clock expiring before turning and draining another three-point shot with time expiring.
Despite shooting an incredible volume of shots from long-range — 18 of his 22 field goal attempts were three-point shots — Williams’ scoring performance was no surprise to Tennessee fans. In his final season with the Volunteers, Williams led the SEC in scoring with 18.8 points per game. Boston would then select Williams with the 22nd overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Bobby Portis breaks own glasses
The Celtics got under the Bucks’ skin early in the game, shown by Bobby Portis after being substituted out of the game in the second quarter. Portis disagreed with a foul call on the prior play and tried to snap his protective glasses in frustration while walking to the bench.
While the glasses aren’t medically necessary for Portis, the moment certainly showed how high emotions are for everybody involved in the elimination game. Portis began wearing the protective glasses after an injury he suffered in the first round against the Chicago Bulls. In Game 2 of that series, Portis suffered a painful-looking eye injury that resulted in blood coming out from around his right eye.
He would later be ruled to have a right-eye abrasion and would require the glasses to protect from further injury.