The Boston Celtics are exceeding any rational expectation in the absence of Gordon Hayward, but that doesn’t take away from the potential upside when the team and player are finally reunited on the court. To that end, Hayward has lofty goals for his continued recovery, indicating that he would like to “come back faster than anyone else has done it” and he is apparently nearing yet another step of progress.
In advance of Tuesday’s game between the Celtics and Lakers in Los Angeles, Brad Stevens indicated to the media that Hayward will be staying in California for a bit to continue his rehab but, more importantly, that the All-Star forward could rejoin the team on the road in early March.
Brad Stevens says Gordon Hayward, with the team in LA, will remain in LA for the next two weeks with some staff. No timetable on him, but could start traveling w/team in early March.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) January 24, 2018
Stevens said Gordon Hayward will stay out west, with some Celtics staffers, for a week or so after the Celtics leave here. Team thought a change of environment would be good for him after the monotony of rehab.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 24, 2018
Hayward was recently captured shooting standing shots as part of his recovery and that, in conjunction with this news, paints a relatively optimistic view for the near future. With that said, simply being able to travel with the team by early March would not necessarily provide Hayward with the ability to return to live game action this season, even if it would be nice to see him on the floor as soon as his body can handle NBA action.
Every positive development should be embraced when it comes to full recovery from a devastating injury, and Gordon Hayward looks to be right on track.
