Gordon Hayward is no longer in a walking boot, but he’s already thinking about running.
Hayward, who has been dealing with a broken ankle all season, is officially shedding the physically limiting signs of his injury, but the timeline for his actual return this year has beeb murky. The Celtics have thrived without Hayward this year, but the All-Star said he isn’t ruling out a return this season.
“My mind is open to that,” Hayward told the Associated Press on Friday when asked about coming back before the end of the season. “I’m trying to get back as fast as I can. It all depends on how I heal, and taking it day-by-day, goal by goal. We’ll see what happens.”
Hayward was taken out of the boot but will now wear a protective brace as he continues to rehab the injury. He’s obviously a long way away from playing against just yet, but he’s certainly been shooting to stay sharp and wants to get out there as soon as possible.
He said he doesn’t know how long he will have to wear the brace. But he said he is now allowed to do more shooting and begin working more on mobility.
“I don’t know that timetable to be honest,” he said of how long he’ll be in the brace. “I’m focused on each day, each week. I know I just got in this, so it’s probably a little while. Probably a little while longer.”
Hayward said the plan was always to begin attending games regularly once he got out of the walking boot and into the brace. It just happened to coincide with Friday’s matchup with Utah.
If Hayward does come back this season, it will be a remarkable turnaround from what was a horrific start to the season for the former Utah Jazz player. Few could imagine Hayward playing again after the break he suffered, but he clearly is determined to limit his time away from the court.
