The Boston Celtics will wrap up their 2018 preseason campaign with a match-up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. However, according to an official report the team, the C's will be without the services of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving.
#NEBHInjuryReport: Kyrie Irving (ribs) and Gordon Hayward (back) will not travel to Cleveland.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 5, 2018
The Celtics are likely being cautious with the returns of Irving and Hayward — two cornerstone pieces of the franchise.
Kyrie Irving, who is back in Boston's line-up after a lengthy stay on the IR list last season, was held out of Tuesday night's game against the Cavs for rest. Hayward, who has rehabbed from the horrific ankle injury he sustained in last year's season opener, logged 15 minutes in the 102-95 loss, scoring seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
In the exhibition games he's played in this season, Irving has looked great. In fact, Uncle, Drew logged 29 minutes in Sunday's 115-112 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting (1-of-4 from beyond the arc), four assists, three rebounds, one block and one steal. And just for the record, he went 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.
Hayward has been working hard towards recovery, and it seems he'll be ready to go for the regular season. The former Butler Bulldog spoke with reporters after his first game back on the floor — a 104-97 loss to the Hornets in Boston's preseason opener.
“I don’t think I was playing my best basketball,” Gordon Hayward joked of his first game back, “but I was having fun out there with the guys.”
“I don’t think I was playing my best basketball,” Gordon Hayward jokes of his first game back, “but I was having fun out there with the guys.” pic.twitter.com/sYSCM7eBjB
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 29, 2018
Saturday night's game is set to tip inside Quicken Loans Arena at 7:30 p.m. EST. NBA TV will have live broadcast coverage.
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