Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward has officially marked his return to Utah.
Hayward, who hasn’t played against the Utah Jazz since leaving them for the Celtics last season, made his first points back at the Vivint Smart Home Arena with a running layup off an assist from Jaylen Brown.
Gordon Hayward gets on the board in Utah!#TeamIsEverything 10#CUsRise 10
📺: ESPNews pic.twitter.com/30QAXjtVGa
— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2018
Hayward, the prize of the 2017 free-agent class, notably decided to sign with the Celtics after seven seasons with the Jazz. He accepted a four-year, max contract offer to join Boston last year, leaving Utah empty-handed and without the player that was supposed to be the face of the franchise in the years to come.
Unfortunately for Hayward, he missed the whole of the 2017-18 NBA campaign after sustaining a horrific leg injury in the Celtics’ opening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It also delayed what could have been a quick reunion with his former team.
Article Continues BelowHayward has already played in 10 games for Boston this year, though he has been limited to just 25 minutes per match. The 28-year-old forward is averaging 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season.
Interestingly, the game with the Jazz marks the first time that the Celtics played Hayward in a back-to-back this campaign — perhaps knowing the importance of the affair. Coach Brad Stevens and the Boston top brass have been cautious about the All-Star forward since his injury and has decided against playing him in consecutive matches.
Hayward sat out their encounter against the New York Knicks last month as it was the second game of a back-to-back, with the first one against the Toronto Raptors.
The Jazz showed some love to Hayward with a video tribute ahead of the game, though the rest of the night should be mixed with some negative reactions from Utah fans who still can't get over Hayward's decision to leave the team that drafted him.