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The Boston Celtics got a huge boost from the news of forward Gordon Hayward returning to the bubble this weekend. But, the C's might have to wait a little longer before they get their former All-Star back on the court.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens pumped the brakes and explained that things are still up in the air with Hayward's potential return.
“I don’t know when the quarantine period will end,” Brad Stevens said after Monday’s Game 5 victory (per masslive.com). “I think they will determine it through a set of doctors and all that stuff, how long that is. But my understanding is that I know he’s back, and I haven’t seen him because he’s been in a room.”
Hayward went back to the NBA Bubble in Orlando Sunday night after deciding to initially leave the campus last month to be with his family as he recovered from his recent ankle injury. And, per league protocols, Hayward will have to clear quarantine first before he's allowed to join the rest of his team.
“Rehab seems to be going okay,” Stevens added. “He feels a little bit better. I don’t think his gait is perfect yet. Once his gait feels right and becomes perfect he’s probably on a quicker course to coming back. I think he’ll rejoin us in the bubble at some point soon, but he still will be some time away when he does do that.”
Hayward continues to rehabilitate his ankle which he sprained in the first game of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers last month. It was later revealed that the 30-year old suffered a Grade 3 sprain on his ankle which would sideline him for 4-6 weeks.
It's also been reported that Hayward plans to leave the bubble again to be with his family as his wife is set to give birth to their fourth child anytime this month.
The third-year Celtic has been huge for Boston all-restart long. Hayward has been averaging 18.7 points per game for Boston in the seeding games before suffering the Game 1 injury against Philly.
