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During Saturday morning's practice session, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens gave an update on Gordon Hayward, who's been in rehabilitation since October due to a broken leg. Though there have been whispers indicating that he might return this season, coach Stevens stated that Hayward is “still a super long way from even being in a 1-on-1 workout where he’s cutting.”
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/969987451665207301
Hayward, now 27 years of age, has been progressing well in his recovery, it's true. However, coach Stevens reiterated his previous stance, which stated that Hayward will not play again this season.
“He's not playing this year,” Stevens said definitively during Saturday's practice. “I don't know what else to say. Is he progressing? Yes. He did another workout on the AlterG this morning. He's up to 60 percent of his weight on the AlterG. If you've ever run on the AlterG, that feels like you're flying without your legs touching the ground.”
Brad Stevens with his most definitive “he’s not playing this year” in regard to Gordon Hayward at shootaround this morning. pic.twitter.com/HxBr69ssXj
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) March 3, 2018
Hayward has been working his tail off in the practice gym. The former ninth overall pick (2010) recorded a short video clip of his rehab drills for The Players' Tribune earlier this week.
The road back with @GordonHayward.
Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/Rp4GT8zDkB
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) March 2, 2018
The Celtics have played well in Hayward's absence. In fact, they're currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings with a 44-19 overall record — just 1.0 game back from the Toronto Raptors (44-17).
The C's will take their league-leading defense to Houston on Saturday night for a matchup against the Houston Rockets. Tip-off inside the Toyota Center is set for 8:30 p.m. EST with ABC having live broadcast coverage.
