The Boston Celtics have done everything in their power to shut down any rumors of a Gordon Hayward heroic comeback at some point this season, yet the incessant rumors based on video updates of his recovery have run rampant, with commentators, journalists, and pundits suggesting he could see the court before the season ends.

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, who appeared in the network's morning radio show Golic & Wingo, the Celtics are looking long-term when it comes to Hayward's career and would not put him at risk of re-injuring himself upon bringing him back earlier than expected.

“I texted some Boston people and everyone who I would be in touch with and ask about it was like, ‘[Gordon Hayward] is not coming back. We wouldn’t do that to him, his career is way too important.’,” said Shelburne. “I know what [Jeff Van Gundy] was saying by calling baloney on all that when he was like, ‘If [Boston] gets to the Finals, [Hayward] is gonna come back and do a Willis Reed.’ All I can tell you is, everyone in Boston that I’ve talked to seems to be saying there’s just no chance they would let him do that or put him in that position.”
Hayward suffered not one, but two very serious injuries upon his gruesome fall from an alley-oop play in his season debut as a Celtic. He fractured his tibia and dislocated his ankle, which still has a major swelling, reportedly, which has kept him off certain activities as he goes through his recovery schedule.

Even if the Celtics were to reach the NBA Finals, as Van Gundy offered, the organization would put health before championships — hoping their $128 million signing pays off in the long run.