Robert Williams III back from COVID, Jayson Tatum remains out

Robert Williams III returned to Celtics practice on Tuesday to bring the Celtics back to 14 available players after their fell to below eight less than two weeks ago starting with Williams’ positive test for COVID-19.

Williams shared that he experienced flu-like symptoms during the past 11 days, waking up in cold sweats trying to get comfortable, while dealing with the uncertainty of his mother and daughter also testing positive. All recovered fortunately, and a cardiac exam finally cleared Williams to return to action today and play this week against the 76ers.

Jayson Tatum and Carsen Edwards remain out on Wednesday in the COVID protocol, the last remaining members of the Celtics — along with Romeo Langford’s injury — absent from Boston’s practice today. Kemba Walker responded well after playing 20 minutes against the Knicks and will travel to Philadelphia for the series.

The Celtics never doubted the 76ers series would go on even with Philadelphia’s game against the Thunder yesterday being postponed. The 76ers are missing players to contact tracing from their game against the Grizzlies, while Joel Embiid and others dealt with injuries. Embiid will return to play the Celtics tomorrow.

Stevens did not rule out Tatum playing on the Friday end of the Philadelphia series, as he’ll be 11 days out from his positive test. Embiid’s return with the activation of Tobias Harris and Shake Milton returns the 76ers to at least 10 players for Wednesday. Seth Curry and Vincent Poirier remain in the league’s COVID protocol.

Boston and Philadelphia play at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.