Celtics news: Gordon Hayward 'feels like an athlete again'

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward offers an update on his injury recovery and says that he finally feels like an athlete again.

It is extremely unlikely that Boston Celtics star small forward Gordon Hayward will play again this season following his horrific leg injury suffered in the team's regular-season opener, but he took to his official website on Friday to update NBA fans on his recent rehabilitation progress.

Hayward sounds like he's definitely on the right track, which is very encouraging that he continues to keep such a positive attitude throughout such an unfortunate situation that occurred in just his first game with the Celtics.

“I know everybody is curious about where things stand with my rehab. It’s all been going really well. I’m happy to report I’m feeling like an athlete again. I’ve been in Indianapolis for the last couple weeks making some really good progress. I leave the hotel every morning at about 9:30 am and don’t get back til about 6 pm. We do a lot of running mechanics, physical therapy, a lift of some sort, and then court work for another few hours. It’s a full day, every day. I’m definitely moving along as planned, and progressing really well,” Hayward said.

Boston, who is also without the services of star point guard Kyrie Irving for the entirety of the 2018 postseason, knocked out the Philadelphia 76ers in five games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year in a rematch with superstar forward LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hayward puts a ton of the team's success on the shoulders of head coach Brad Stevens, who continues to excel at the helm of the Celtics as one of the league's best coaches.

“A lot of that confidence comes from Coach Stevens. He has this way of instilling it in you. He allows guys to play loose and play free. Not to the point where they’re just out there freestyling and playing crazy. But loose as in the confidence to just go out there and hoop. He puts guys in positions to be successful. He doesn’t ask too much of anyone. He knows what each of his players does well, and utilizes each guy’s strengths. That’s what he’s really good at,” Hayward said.

Will the Celtics be able to get revenge on LeBron and avenge last season's lopsided loss to the Cavs in the conference finals? We'll have to wait and see, as Game 1 of this best-of-seven series between Boston and Cleveland will finally get started on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.