Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward told the media today that he feels ‘100-percent’ healthy and has played four games of five-on-five. Nicole Yang of Boston.com recapped his availability with the press with a post on Twitter.
Gordon Hayward says he’s played 5-on-5 four times now. pic.twitter.com/2u5RuX2K1f
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) September 13, 2018
While Hayward has played in a few five-on-five games, he is still working to get back into game shape. Regardless, he expects to play in the Celtics’ opening night game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16.
It is currently unknown how long Hayward will play when the season starts or if he will initially come off the bench until he finds his form. Boston has the luxury of having talented wing depth with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown so there is little reason to rush Hayward back into his regular starting role until he is ready.
Hayward appeared in only one regular season game for the Celtics last season before suffering a leg injury that kept for the remainder of the season. He was coming off a career-year with the Utah Jazz where he earned his first NBA All-Star appearance with averages of 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
