There has been ramped up speculation in recent weeks that injured Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward may be able to play at some point this season. That was all taken to a new level when a video surfaced of Hayward walking without a limp after suffering a dislocated left ankle and fractured tibia on opening night.
Despite being optimistic about Hayward’s recovery, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is now confirming that the forward will not return to play this season.
“He’s not playing this year. I don’t know what else to say,” Stevens said, via ESPN.
That’s about as clear as it gets. After signing Hayward to a four-year, $127.8 million contract this past summer, the Celtics are not about to risk his long-term future by rushing him back from such a devastating injury.
Boston heads into Saturday night’s game against the Houston Rockets with a 44-19 record and one game behind Toronto for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.