With a series of videos updating his recovery progress, Gordon Hayward has been fueling speculation that despite long odds, he could suit up for the Celtics before the end of the season. However, head coach Brad Stevens gave his most definitive statement to date, declaring Hayward as done for the year, Michael Singer of USA Today Sports writes.
“He’s not playing this year,” Stevens said. “I don’t know what else to say. Is he progressing? Yes. … It’s great, and I think that the videos are great too because it continues to show the progress because sometimes when you’re in the midst of that long rehab you don’t feel the progress of the day-to-day the way now we all might see a video or somebody that hasn’t seen him may see a video, and say ‘man he is really getting better.’ But he’s super long way away from even being in on a 1-on-0 workout where he’s cutting.”
Hayward suffered a gruesome broken ankle on opening night against the Cavaliers — his first game in Boston green. The Celtics have added players to the roster and relied heavily on youngsters such as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in Hayward’s absence. He is expected to be ready for the 2018/19 season.
Check out other Celtics news and notes below:
- NBA legend Jerry West, a current consultant to the Clippers front office, admires the work that Danny Ainge has done to rebuild the Celtics’ roster and put the team near the top of the Eastern Conference, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald writes. “Danny’s done a nice job back there,” West said. “Are they good enough? They had a terrible break with a very good player (Gordon Hayward), and are they good enough now? At the end of a couple of years, they’re going to be judged by that, by how they’re doing then — not by now. They’ve got some good young players. They’ve got a terrific coach. They’ve got a lot of positive things going, that’s for sure.”
- One of the most talked-about trade scenarios in recent years has been Anthony Davis joining the Celtics. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer opines that the Celtics would be better off pouncing on the next major name that becomes available instead of waiting on Davis, who may or may not ever become available.
I really like Brad Stevens as a coach and Kyrie Irving as a player. I’d love to see Kyrie make it to the finals without a superteam. This team should be good for a while. I can see them making it to the finals 3 years in a row.
Better yet, the Celts will have Gordon Hayward back next season along with the Sacramento pick and the Memphis (top 8 protected) and L.A. Clippers (top 14 protected) draft picks.
I’d like to see Kyrie make it to at least 7 straight titles and win at least 3 more!
Can’t see it, Lebron will own the East until he retires.
Lebrun already doesn’t own the east… 8 games back… no big 3… Lebron can’t do it alone! Greatest player in NBA history only when surrounded by other stars!
Go somewhere you hater m, Lebron is the GOAT and will win his 4th ring this June.
Amen to that! Thanks!
This is Wades last year. Is it LeBron’s too?
Hayward will be back, Ainge will add someone else. Kyrie will win MVP next year. The Celts will win the title. Kyrie will have 5 finals and 2 titles. With all those draft picks, the Celts are guaranteed at least 3 more finals and 2 more titles. Kyrie will be the new GOAT!! Yea!
Ainge has flunked on literally every high draft pick. How will those five and Kyrie’s poor defense beat Lebron?
Trade the Sacramento, Memphis, and L.A. pick to take DeAndre Ayton.
I would consider that. I think the Kings picked is the only one unprotected but chances are memphis end up keeping their pick and Clips probably be out the lottery. Just got to find an Orlando or Phoenix willing to make that type of trade lol.
I can see Atlanta doing it. They need lots of help.