Gordon Hayward has undergone a crucial surgery in his left ankle after a heartbreaking freak injury that left him with a dislocated ankle and fracture tibia. Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens said his star forward was dealing with the usual post-surgery challenges, but that he remained optimistic despite a long road to recovery.
“[He's] having some of the post-surgery challenges of pain and everything else,” said Stevens, who visited Hayward at New England Baptist Hospital on Thursday, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. “But the surgery went great. His spirits were pretty positive.”
“We talked a little bit about how to approach the next five months with maintaining that positivity — different ways to stay engaged, different ways to approach this, to attack this, and he was ready to get started on his rehab the minute he got out of surgery.”
Hayward has been showered with messages, prayers, and advice, even from people outside of the NBA circle — all hoping for his speedy recovery and looking forward to his return to the court.
Stevens noted the importance of this difficult time and knowing how to properly guide an athlete through the extent of it.
“It's easy to kinda hole up when you're going to be out a long time,” Stevens said. “You're excited because you anticipate a full recovery, but I think it's really important to just be active, and to be as active as you can.”
The man at the helm called one of his colleagues, who is familiar with the situation, asking for his advice on how to deal with the matter.
“I called Frank Vogel the day I drove to the gym, when we played Milwaukee, and just asked him, ‘What are some of the things that Paul did in his year off that you would really encourage? What are some of the things that we should be looking [to]?' And, hey, [Hayward is] going to be the best guy shooting out of a chair, with his left hand, with his right hand, perfect his form, and let's have fun. Let's come up with creative ways to attack this thing.”
The Celtics have lost both of their first two games and now face a hungry Philadelphia 76ers team, hosting them in their home opener.
Stevens hasn't looked into any potential replacements for Hayward, despite operating short-handed through this stretch, saying he's been preoccupied with his star forward's health.
“My sole focus has been on Gordon and trying to make sure that we maximize this group that we have right now.”
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