It has been two weeks since the Celtics announced Gordon Hayward would be sidelined for approximately four weeks due to a sprained ankle, and head coach Brad Stevens said on Monday that the forward’s rehab is “going OK” so far, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
“He feels a little bit better,” Stevens said of Hayward. “Still has a pretty significant amount of … I don’t think his gait is perfect yet. Once his gait feels right and becomes perfect, he’s probably on a quicker course to coming back. I think he’ll rejoin us in the bubble at some point soon, but he still will be some time away when he does do that.”
The second-round series between the Celtics and Raptors is expected to conclude no later than September 11, so if Hayward is still at least a couple weeks away, he won’t suit up at all against Toronto. However, if the C’s can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, a Hayward return could be in play.
As Bontemps notes, Hayward had previously indicated that he’d leave the NBA’s campus in September to be with his wife for the birth of their fourth child. It’s unclear if that’s still his plan, or when exactly that would happen. For now, he continues to focus on getting healthy.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- So far in Orlando, the Celtics haven’t just survived without Hayward — they’ve thrived, Bontemps writes in a separate ESPN.com story, exploring how Marcus Smart and the team’s bench players have stepped up in the starting forward’s absence. If the Celtics continue to be successful without Hayward in the lineup, it may fuel further speculation about the 30-year-old’s future in Boston — he’ll likely exercise a $34.2MM player option for 2020/21 before becoming a free agent next year.
- As in 2018, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge didn’t upgrade the team’s bench at this season’s trade deadline. Sean Deveney of Forbes.com argues that Boston’s lack of bench depth was costly during the playoffs two years ago, but says the hope is that history won’t repeat itself this year.
- For years, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were viewed by many league observers as possible centerpieces in trades for superstars. Now, they look like the players the Celtics will build around for years to come, writes Chris Mannix of SI.com. Mannix examines how that happened, the relationship between Tatum and Brown, and how – as Tatum puts it – they “feed off each other” on the court.
Ainge had so many firsts, but was too gun shy to trade them. They all turned into Ojeley, Williams and other players who are unplayable.
Granted high picks like Smart, Tatum and Brown turned out great. But Celts basically have no bench right now – and thats on the GM.
But they keep winning so…
You are kidding right? Who cares about the bench when you have drafted young starters emerging as stars. Do you realize how many teams screw up high draft picks and spend years in lottery land? How did that 76er process work out? Sizers were drafting slow footed old school centers while celtics read the tea leaves and built with versatile wing players.
Ojeleye wasn’t a first-round pick, he was picked in the second round.. Grant Williams was picked 22nd in the first round. The two picks you pointed as bad draft picks, were actually good draft picks.
Hayward will opt in to contract. Then he probably gets moved by deadline. He’s not the player he was. He’s still a productive player. Great shooter, FT shooter. On right team he can still be 20 pt guy. His D isn’t there. It’s Amazing to me why Celtics haven’t tried to get Love. They have the expiring contract and picks. What Cavs would love. Love is great fit with Celtics. Tatum is their best reb who plays mins 7 a gm. Love avg 10 a gm. And he’s a good shooter. Chemistry wise he fits like a glove. Celtics are a team that’s ready now. Losing Horford left a big hole.
Tatum and J Brown both are young. I mean how long you think you wait to see if a player is right. Brown drafted in 2016. Tatum drafted in 2017. Jalen is 23 yrs old now, Tatum 22 yrs old. It’s insane how we expect players to be. 22 yr old man is now growing into his adult body. Expectations today are insane
Luka is 21 and considered to be an MVP candidate.
Not everyone can be Luka
Too true, too true! I mean putting in the same sentence Luka & JT is just outrageously daring! JT will never be close to Luka’s level, that’s for sure!
No one put JT and Luka in the same sentence except for you.
If Hayward got $34MM per year then I can’t even imagine what Luka is worth.