BOSTON – Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is battling lingering back soreness as his long-awaited regular-season return nears. Hayward told reporters Wednesday that the soreness in that area is nothing new, though it doesn’t typically linger this long. He believes what’s at fault is his long layoff from playing.
Gordon Hayward threw out first ball at Fenway last season
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“In the past, it’s bothered me but always calmed down and was fine with treatments and stuff,” Hayward said. “But this time it was getting worse, especially after playing.
“I have found out that is going to be a process because of not playing for so long. The rest of my body has to readjust to playing.”
Despite the injury, Hayward said he still expects to play in Boston’s regular-season opener against Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Hayward has played three preseason games as he makes his return from a dislocated left ankle and fractured left tibia sustained during the Celtics’ 2017-18 season opener. He sat out the team’s preseason finale against Cleveland on Saturday.
Before his one-game debut season for Boston, Hayward played seven years with the Utah Jazz, making the All-Star Game in 2017. He has career averages of 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 517 NBA games.
Hayward, 28, was the Jazz’s first-round draft pick (ninth overall) in 2010 out of Butler.
–Field Level Media
