While Celtics forward Gordon Hayward hasn’t officially ruled out coming back this season, coach Brad Stevens told Yahoo Sports‘ Chris Mannix on the Dan Patrick Show that a return has “never really been a consideration” and the two have never discussed that possibility:
Brad Stevens, to me, on @dpshow, on Gordon Hayward: “My mindset is he’s not coming back. That’s the way we’ve approached it. Gordon and I have never had a conversation about him coming back.”
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 12, 2018
It’s a long, long journey back. There’s no way to rush that. You just have to do it step by step, day by day. I’ve never considered or planned for the idea.
Hayward, 27, suffered a gruesome ankle injury on opening night. Last year, he averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, earning All-Star honors for the first time.
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