The Hornets have ruled forward Gordon Hayward unavailable indefinitely due to a left ankle injury, per the team’s PR department (Twitter link). Charlotte notes that an MRI on the ankle showed sprained ligaments, and that the team will announce any changes in his condition “as appropriate.”
This is a major blow for Hayward, who had just returned to action a few days ago after being in the NBA COVID-19 health and safety protocols for two weeks.
Currently the No. 9 seed in the East with a 28-27 record, Charlotte has a serious chance to earn a postseason berth for the first time since the 2015/16 NBA season. As a valuable two-way forward who can shoot and defend, the former All-Star Hayward has been a key part of the club’s rotation. Across 48 games as the Hornets’ starting small forward, the 31-year-old was averaging 16.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG and 1.0 SPG. He boasted a strong shooting line of .460/.390/.846.
The team is led by top scorers LaMelo Ball, a newly-minted injury replacement All-Star, and forward Miles Bridges. The absence of Hayward could lead to an expanded role for P.J. Washington, who had previously been elevated to a starting position during the 6’7″ veteran’s coronavirus-related absence.
Hayward’s injured ankle is the same one he broke in 2017 during his Celtics debut. A long-term absence for the oft-injured vet could necessitate a trade to bolster the team’s playoff chances ahead of the Thursday deadline.
It’s the same ankle/leg be broke while with Boston.
Death, taxes, ….
Oh man, I mean, Ainge really screwed up by not beating Charlotte out for Hayward. What was he thinking?
Probably thinking it’s a good idea to give away Desmond Bane because they got Romeo Langford…
What does Desmond Bane have to do with anything?
I was talking about Hayward. You must have just woken up from a nap.
Hahaha so true , they always boot the wrong prospect , Bane is like the 3rd rising star the celts bounced to keep their overvalued bench players. Langford is a bum and don’t get me started on Nesmith. I don’t understand why they don’t get them minutes , boost the value and move em ? Annoying . And they better move Grant Williams while his value is at its highest. We all know he’ll be back at the buffet line sooner or later
Here’s a crazy one – link to espn.com
Jaylen Brown to CHA
Hayward, Bouknight and first to OKC
Giddey to BOS
Who says no?
The sane people.
Brown is worth way more than Giddey today.
Celtics and Thunder both say no.
Celtics get Giddey for 20mil less than Brown.. Thunder more likely to say no imo
Take a drug test….smh
Jaylen Brown? You’re trading Jaylen Brown of the Celtics? Ha, ha! Sorry, but you better not believe anything you read on ESPN, etc. Remember those “experts” make a living posting a lot of bulls*t.
Actually ….. there’s NOBODY in the association that you trade Jaylen Brown for at the moment . His ceiling is looking mighty high possibly higher the whining 00
Ouch ……. same ankle. Get healthy.
Okay I am just going to say it and I just don’t care if you don’t want to believe me. Aaron Nesmith is going to be an Allstar in the the NBA in the next few years. I have watched the guy since he was in the 8th grade and he had more talent than Kris Middleton ( same school) . Yes he is the real deal and I hate to see the Celtics give away the best rookie since Len Bias.