When Gordon Hayward went down with his nasty ankle injury on the opening night of the NBA season, most believed the injury would be season-ending, but most Boston Celtics fans are still holding out hope for a possibility that the former Butler Bulldog would return and help the team in the playoffs.
Last week, head coach Brad Stevens said he didn't think there was any way for Hayward to return to the court and just on Thursday, Celtics GM Danny Ainge said a return would be very tough according to Chris Forsberg of ESPN.
“I don’t believe that Gordon thinks he’s going to play. … I think that Gordon just wants to show everyone, when he comes back next year, all the work he put in to get back to who he was when he got here, or even better player than before he got hurt.”
Everyone seems to be ruling out the former Jazz star, but there is one guy who won't rule out a return, Gordon Hayward.
The #Haywatch won't end: Gordon Hayward will not formally rule himself out for the season. Says he's still focussed on day-to-day progress.
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) March 9, 2018
Hayward is still working hard on his rehab, but according to Ainge, he isn't even full weight bearing yet on his foot which seems to make the chances even more and more less likely.
“He is on the AlterG (Anti-Gravity Treadmill), which is half his body weight, maybe up to 60 percent of his body weight. There’s just a long way to go before he can get out on a basketball court. And then once he’s 100 percent cleared physically, which he’s not close to that yet, there’s a long process of just getting your mind and your confidence, and your foot [right]. And overcoming the mental part of it.”
Even with Hayward not ruling himself out, it seems pretty hard to imagine that he would be game ready to play meaningful minutes before the season winds down.
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