It’s no longer a no-brainer that Gordon Hayward will exercise his $34.2 million contract option with the Boston Celtics for the upcoming NBA season. While opting in seems logical on the surface, with Hayward battling both injuries and inconsistency in his first three seasons with the C’s, it certainly feels like momentum is building in […]
NBA Rumors: Does Gordon Hayward Want Out Of Celtics Contract? — NESN.com
The deal would have to send Victor Oladipo (and more) to Boston.
Rumor: Some in Indiana want to trade for Gordon Hayward — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Gordon Hayward was the topic of conversation in more ways than one Saturday. First and foremost started with Hayward’s return. The Celtics forward played his first game since Aug. 17, helping Boston defeat the Miami Heat 117-106 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. And then were the details that Hayward did not plan […]
What Gordon Hayward Explained About Bubble Departure, Game 3 Production — NESN.com
First and foremost started with Hayward’s return. The Celtics forward played his first game since Aug. 17, helping Boston defeat the Miami Heat 117-106 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
And then were the details that Hayward did not plan to leave the NBA’s bubble, like originally expressed. Hayward said in June he would leave Orlando as his wife, Robyn, is pregnant with their fourth child. Hayward, though, since departing the bubble already to rehab an injured ankle, has changed his mind.
The Celtics wing explained that he will stay with the team instead.
“Yeah, I mean, that obviously wasn’t in the plan, getting injured, going back to Indiana for treatment,” Hayward told reporters, as seen on NBC Sports Boston’s postgame coverage.
Of note, Hayward’s wife was also in Indiana when the 30-year-old was going through rehab for a Grade III ankle sprain.
“… And Robyn could be having the baby at any point in time, and so I think it’s probably something I’ll be here and by the time I get back I might miss the birth. We discussed it, we prayed about it, and I think it’s probably best I stay here and help our team.”More: NBA Rumors: Gordon Hayward Will ‘Stay With Celtics’ If Wife Goes Into Labor
If Saturday’s any indication, Hayward certainly will help. He was a driving factor in the Celtics getting back on the right side of things, despite the fact they trail the Heat 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
“Yeah, I mean it was, I definitely felt weird out there. It’s been four or five weeks or whatever since I’ve played basketball. So, I think it was really fun to be back out there with the team, with the guys,” Hayward said. “I just tried to impact our team in winning ways, whatever I could do. First five minutes, I was gassed. I’m extremely tired right now. My ankle is pretty sore. But just proud of the way we fought, proud of us getting the win.”
Hayward admitted that with it being the first time he’s played five-on-five basketball since Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, it didn’t take long for him to get winded. And he also is well-aware he’s not quite 100%, but is thinking he’ll get there.
“The first five minutes hit differently for sure. That’s the first time I’ve played five on five basketball. Just the way rehab had to be down here, it was so much different,” he said. “I think definitely not at 100%, but it’s kind of just what it is. It’s the Eastern Conference finals, so I’m going to give us whatever I can. As we keep going I’ll find my rhythm and be better and better, that’s the plan at least.”
Head coach Brad Stevens, though, praised Hayward for his ability to “stabilize” the offense. It’s something Boston had missed without him in the lineup, helping facilitate on that side of the floor while making impactful plays.
“I think me personally just trying to help us offensively, being someone who can get in the paint, create, help us rebound, bring the ball up thinking if we can run they cant set up their defense,” Hayward said. “We have so many athletes, so many guys that can score it makes it more difficult for them.”
Boston will continue to try and make it difficult on Miami as the Celtics face the Heat on Wednesday for Game 4.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
NBA players will struggle to put their best feet forward if they return to duty amid the fiercest competition. Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward insisted as much Wednesday in an interview with the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy when he warned of sloppy games and a rash of injuries if the NBA goes straight to the…
Gordon Hayward Has Two Warnings About NBA Playoff Return Scenario — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward only was a rookie during Jerry Sloan’s final season as coach of the Utah Jazz. But he clearly left an impact on the Boston Celtics forward. Sloan died Friday at the age of 78. Hayward was just one of many NBA players to react to the death of the Hall of Fame coach.…
Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Remembers Former Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward has more than just himself to worry about when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. The Boston Celtics forward and his wife, Robyn, have three young daughters and she’s expecting the couples fourth child — their first boy. Robyn is considered to be high-risk when it comes to COVID-19, and Gordon revealed he…
Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Was ‘A Little Nervous’ About Coronavirus Outbreak — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward has more than just himself to worry about when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. The Boston Celtics forward and his wife, Robyn, have three young daughters and she’s expecting the couple’s fourth child — their first boy. Robyn is considered to be high-risk when it comes to COVID-19, and Gordon revealed he and his wife were a bit nervous once the NBA indefinitely suspended its season due to the virus.
“We were definitely a little nervous about the whole thing,” Gordon said on a conference call, via MassLive’s Tom Westerholm. “Definitely didn’t want to let her — I mean anybody, but specifically her — get the virus because of the baby and we didn’t know what could exactly happen with that. So we were just very pre-cautious with everything and I didn’t go anywhere or isolate myself or anything besides just being at the house. But I did — our doctor said, ‘Not as many hugs, not as many snuggles,’ until we can figure out if I’m positive or negative. So that’s kind of what we did until we got back the results.”
Marcus Smart was the only member of the C’s to test positive for the virus. He since has recovered. And while this is giving Gordon some extra time with his wife and daughters, we’re sure he, along with the other NBA players, are missing the game they love.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/04/celtics-gordon-hayward-was-a-little-nervous-about-coronavirus-outbreak/
Gordon Hayward probably likes playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, to say the least. In the Boston Celtics’ 127-117 in Minnesota on Friday, the forward led the balanced offense (among starters, at least) with 29 points, six rebouns and five assists shooting 12-for-17 from the field. He was just one-point shy of achieving four-straight 30-point games…
Gordon Hayward Leads Celtics’ Scoring in 127-117 Win Over Timberwolves — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward apparently has proven his worth to his employers. The Boston Celtics want the forward to remain with the team over the long term, an NBA source confirmed to BostonSportsJournal’s Brian Robb on Tuesday. Hayward’s contract will expire after next season, but he can opt out of his four-year, $128 million deal this summer…
NBA Rumors: Celtics Want To Keep Gordon Hayward ‘Over Long Term’ — NESN.com
Enes Kanter isn’t afraid to voice his opinions on Twitter, even if they might insult a Boston Celtics fan favorite. Kendrick Perkins on Wednesday suggested the Celtics should trade Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder for big man Steven Adams. And, well, let’s just say Kanter isn’t a big fan of the hypothetical deal.…
Kendrick Perkins Floats Gordon Hayward Trade Idea; Enes Kanter Hates It — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward apparently still is feeling the effects of the gruesome leg injury he suffered 26 months ago. The Boston Celtics forward has missed the last three games with a sore left foot — the same foot that was pointing in the wrong direction that infamous October night in Cleveland. And while Hayward is probable…
Gordon Hayward Believes New Foot Issue Related To Original Leg Injury — NESN.com
Marcus Smart is nearing a return, but he still is battling a seriously nasty eye infection. Smart will not play Christmas Day against the Toronto Raptors, the Celtics announced Tuesday afternoon. The fiery guard has missed Boston’s last six games primarily due to the eye infection, but other ailments also have contributed to keeping Smart…
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The Boston Celtics might be getting Gordon Hayward back a little sooner than expected. When the star forward fractured his hand Nov. 9 in San Antonio and promptly got surgery, the ideal timeline was him returning for the Celtics’ Christmas game against the Toronto Raptors. Updates on Hayward have been positive at every turn, and…
Gordon Hayward Injury: Brad Stevens Gives Promising Update On Celtics Star — NESN.com
The view from left field 