After he suffered a gruesome leg injury in Boston’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, everyone assumed Celtics forward Gordon Hayward would not appear in an NBA game again until next season.
However, on Tuesday Celtics general manager Danny Ainge seemed to hint Hayward is recovering faster than expected. Ainge tweeted out a picture of the former Utah Jazz star standing next to a pool and, most importantly, wearing no ankle brace.
USA swimmer @smeathers5 (no muscle) coached by Celtic great @gordonhayward (no brace) lost a devastating race to Australian swimmer @stephen_mount today. No rematch is scheduled nor will be. #swimmersneedmuscles pic.twitter.com/lxTD4UqiIB
— Danny Ainge (@danielrainge) January 9, 2018
The photo has led to some speculation that Hayward could return as soon as this season, providing first-place Boston with even more firepower in their attempt to dethrone Cleveland in the Eastern Conference.
From what I can tell and what I have heard, he is progressing well. I think he will play by late March/early April. He is slightly further than I had expected
— Dr. Selene Parekh (@seleneparekhmd) January 10, 2018
“no brace”
I’m just gonna be over here, continuing to beat the drum that there’s at least a chance we see Gordon Hayward back on the court sometime this season/postseason 🥁 https://t.co/wqdAh7FBrm
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 9, 2018
Hayward himself did little to dispel these rumors, calling attention to the photo in a subsequent tweet.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 9, 2018
• Josh Luckenbaugh can be reached at jluckenbaugh@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.