After undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee Wednesday morning, Boston Celtics Center Robert Williams III He’s expected to be back in four to six weeks — a schedule that could put him back in the squad once the second round of Eastern qualifiers, sources told ESPN.

Sources said Williams had tears on Sunday night, but the extent of the injury allowed a procedure that would not require him to be sidelined for several months.

After Wednesday’s action, there was some initial optimism for a return at the shorter end of the schedule, ESPN sources reported. The Eastern Conference semi-final rounds are expected to begin May 1.

Boston (47-29) is currently third in the Eastern District with six games remaining in the regular season – just one game from first place.

Williams has been a huge part of the best and most exciting defense in the NBA for the past two months. He is #1 out of 169 players who have defended more than 500 shots as the closest defender, in tracking the second spectrum. Only Williams has a discount of less than 40% from the repayment.

Williams, who signed a new four-year, $52 million extension at the offseason, averaged 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and fired 73.6% from the ground.