Boston Celtics small forward Gordon Hayward went through contact drills for the first time as he continues to rehab from a broken hand, according to Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston:

Hayward's proposed time table of six weeks–following surgery to repair the hand on Nov. 11–looks very realistic now that he is progressing accordingly.

Indeed, Hayward told reporters a few days ago that he is targeting a return around Christmas (via the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram):

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Hayward believes he may be back around Christmas.

“I feel pretty good,” he said before the Celtics’ 112-107 loss to the Nets Friday. “I’m able to kind of lightly dribble right now and shoot. I’m trying to just build some strength back in the left hand a little bit. I think all this considered, I feel like I’m progressing really well, and we’ll see where it’s at.”

“I feel like I’m ahead of schedule,” Hayward said. “I mean, it’s hard to say with these things exactly what the timeline is. But, like I said, I feel good, and most importantly I’ve been able to continue with my leg work and stuff like that, so that’s really important.

Hayward was in the midst of a massive bounce-back campaign before suffering the injury against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran wing was averaging 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting over 55 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc.

The Celtics are 7-4 without Hayward in the rotation after beating the New York Knicks on Sunday, though they clearly lacked offensive playmaking against the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.

Fortunately, Hayward is clearing hurdles as he prepares to return.