Williams makes journey to Maine and back

INDIANAPOLIS – Robert Williams got his first taste of Maine Friday night, when the Celtics rookie dominated with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and 5-for-5 shooting in 24 minutes during the Red Claws’ season-opening loss to the Knicks.

It felt good to stretch out. “It was fun, man, got to play basketball – a lot of minutes. Great experience,” he said of something that was only the first part of the experience. He got a 4:30 a.m.. wakeup call yesterday from the parent club, boarded a commercial flight to Indianapolis, and met the team on time for yesterday’s shootaround. He did not play in last night’s loss to the Pacers.

“I think that’s tough to go up, play, catch the early flight. David and I were just talking about the ‘80s travel in the NBA, so Robert’s got a feel for that now, the commercial flight,” Brad Stevens said of his talk with David Benner, the Pacers’ director of media relations and a former Pacers beat writer. The problem, according to

Stevens, is that with Daniel Theis out for at least the short term with a partially torn plantar fascia in his foot, the rookie’s length and feel for defending the rim are needed. “We’re going to try to do that, but we need him,” Stevens said of getting Williams more playing time in Maine. Williams, who is just starting to get a sense of a rookie’s life, is open to as many wakeup calls as it takes. “I’m ready for whatever. They haven’t told me, but I’m ready,” he said of a plan. “It’s different, but it’s something I have to take on.”

Brown back to play

Jaylen Brown’s right foot responded well enough to the shootaround that he was able to play. He had 12 points in 31 minutes while playing mostly agains Victor Oladipo, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds but shot only 6-of18 from the floor. “He’s a great challenge, and I embrace that challenge,” Brown said of Oladipo. “I want to come back. I like those challenges. “Any time, I want to play. Any time we have a game. I love basketball. Anytime I have a chance, I want to play. I’ve played through worse. As soon as I’m healthy, as soon as I have the OK.” Brown is playing with an insert in his right sneaker to give more support.

Theis makes trip

Theis, recovering from a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot, is on the trip without the walking boot he was scheduled to wear for two weeks. “The doctor looked at it Thursday and just changed things,” Theis said. This doesn’t mean the big forward’s return plan has changed. He was originally supposed to be reevaluated once the boot was removed.

Indiana wants him

It’s an inevitable question for Gordon Hayward. A local TV reporter asked the Celtics forward and Indiana native if he can see himself in a Pacers uniform. “Not thinking about that,” he said. “It was amazing growing up (here) ... but I’ve never thought about that.” Hayward played 26 minutes and scored four points. “Increase-by-a-tick phase,” Stevens said. “He’s not going to get to 30 (yet).”