Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens says there's an 80 percent chance Gordon Hayward will return from his broken hand before Christmas.

Hayward had surgery on Nov. 12 and was expected to miss six weeks.

On the season for the Celtics, Hayward is averaging 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Hayward struggled last season for Boston, as he was making his way back from that gruesome ankle injury he suffered against the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night of the 2017-18 season.

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Last season, Hayward averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 83.4 percent from the free-throw line. He was finally regaining his confidence and looking like the max player the Celtics envisioned they were getting when they signed him back in 2017.

Hayward is making $32,700,690 this season. He has a player option worth $34,187,085 for next season. The veteran will likely pick that option up and remain with the Celtics since he has a injury history now.

The good news is that Hayward didn’t suffer a lower body injury and his rehab from this hand injury seems to be coming along nicely. The Celtics, who are 15-5 on the season, certainly can’t wait to get Hayward back in the lineup.