The Portland Trail Blazers enter the Western Conference Play-In Tournament with a 42–40 record, holding the No. 8 seed in a tightly packed postseason race. The Phoenix Suns arrive at 45–37 as the No. 7 seed, setting a high-stakes elimination-style matchup.
For Portland center Robert Williams III, the moment carries added weight due to his championship background with the Boston Celtics.
Williams was direct when reflecting on his connection to former teammates and the culture built in Boston in an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. “Yeah, 100 percent! Those are my dogs. JT [Jayson Tatum], JB [Jaylen Brown], Payton [Pritchard]—all of them for sure!”
The Celtics finished the 2025–26 regular season at 56–26, securing second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Williams pointed to their consistency when discussing their identity. “I’m not surprised,” he said. “They’ve kinda got a well-oiled machine regardless of who’s going out and who’s going down. So they’re going to play hard regardless.”
That description reflects a system-oriented approach that Portland has attempted to mirror during its late-season surge. The Blazers’ push into the Play-In field has been built on defensive structure and role clarity, areas Williams has emphasized since arriving.
Williams also highlighted the emotional shift that comes with postseason pressure. “It’s a different feeling,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot with this team. I’m trying to get to the Playoffs. We can’t take Phoenix lightly at all. It’s a great team over there, but I’ll go with us against anybody.”
The veteran center added that experience has shaped how he views Portland’s current opportunity. “Yeah, you know you kinda gotta carry that to this team,” he said. “The energy, kinda. It’s late in the [season], so we feel like we deserve it, but you can’t take it for granted, man. It’s hard to get back to the Playoffs so I’m glad we got the chance.”
Health has also played a central role in Williams’ availability this season, a factor he addressed with perspective. “Yeah, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “I’m thanking God everyday, man. I’m still doing my vitamins, been in treatment, and hopefully just keep going, man.”
