The Boston Celtics headed into the playoffs in the Orlando “bubble” poised to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

But Boston's playoff hopes seemed to take a hit when swingman Gordon Hayward sustained a sprained ankle in Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

It goes without saying Hayward has dealt with a variety of long-term absences in recent years, including this year.

The Celtics star recently spoke about his injury history and also suggested the rehab process will be more mentally taxing than physically (via Tim Bontemps of ESPN):

“It's hard,” he said when asked about the string of injuries. “It's hard not to get into that. I think teammates, family, mentors, having good people around you, I think helps with all of that, certainly. Like I said, I just try to take it day by day, honestly, and just trying to attack rehab. I've definitely been here before, so I know how to do that.

“The mental side of rehab is by far more difficult than the physical side of rehab. There's a lot of time when you are alone and a lot of time when you are contemplating, a lot of time to think. The mental side is the hardest part. I think having good people around you is very key, it's very important, and I definitely have that.”

The Celtics got off to a slow start without Hayward in Game 2 on Wednesday, though they steamrolled to a 2-0 lead thanks mostly to the superb play of Jayson Tatum.

Still, there are questions as to how deep Boston can go without Hayward, who actually made history with the Celtics this year.

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Aside from the lengthy rehab, Hayward also has to consider the impending birth of his fourth child, due in September.

Hayward surely had a lot on his mind even prior to the start of the playoffs, but the latest injury figures to be the latest challenge in a career full of setbacks.