It has been nearly three full years since Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome foot injury that put him out after only a few minutes of the 2017-18 season. The Boston Celtics swingman had issues regaining his footing the following season, as 2018-19 was full of ups and downs for the former All-Star.

This 2019-20 season has seen Hayward come back to his old self, though he just revealed his previously injured left foot still gets sore at times, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston.

This is pretty natural for players coming off a major injury, especially for the type of injury Hayward suffered, breaking not only his foot but dislocating his tibia as well. Due to the kinetic chain, an impact on one part of the body may affect the feeling in others.

It's no surprise that Hayward still has some lasting effects from his injury, especially after a long layoff due to the NBA hiatus. Still, it is surprising to hear a player admit it so openly.

This predicament precisely is what has made so many veteran players concerned about a restart at Disney World, with so little time to rev up for another training camp and very limited opportunities to get in shape before traveling to Orlando.

Hayward said he will be leaving the Disney bubble if his wife goes into labor for the birth of their fourth child, though he plans to return and follow quarantine protocols if this happens.

There are plenty of implications of joining this restart — health and family are only two of them, but ones Hayward will take with utmost seriousness upon landing in Orlando.

Hayward's Celtics are 43-21, which is third in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old is averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 33.4 minutes per game.