Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward admitted it has been hard for both himself as well as his teammates to get comfortable this season due to the sheer number of roster changes and players that have come in and out of the rotation:
Gordon Hayward: "There’s been so many guys that have been in and out throughout the course of the year, so I said this a while back, like, it takes a little bit of time to get used to playing with everybody again."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 11, 2020
Despite the constant changes, Hayward iterated the Celtics have defended at a high level all season, regardless of who is on the floor:
More Hayward: "I think the one thing that doesn’t matter is how we play defensively. And when you can get stops and run none of that really matters."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 11, 2020
The Celtics have dealt with injuries all season, Hayward included. The former All-Star missed close to a month in November and early December due to a broken hand, and has since missed a bit of time due to nagging foot issues.
Hayward is not the only one having to readjust. Marcus Smart missed over two weeks due to a nasty eye infection, and Kemba Walker had missed each of the team's previous three games before suiting up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is still trying to get a foothold on his frontcourt, as well. Daniel Theis has been the starting center nearly all season, but the likes of Enes Kanter, Grant Williams and Semi Ojeyleye have also rotated in and out of the forward spots, and Robert Williams is likely out for another month.
Boston have lost three straight after falling to the Sixers on Thursday, but they still find themselves in the third spot in the Eastern Conference.
Fortunately, the Celtics have a friendlier schedule for their upcoming homestand in which they face the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons in consecutive fashion.
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