Gordon Hayward: Boston Celtics forward out for six weeks after hand surgery
Tuesday 12 November 2019 07:21, UK
Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward has undergone surgery on his fractured left hand and is expected to be out for six weeks, the team announced.
The timetable potentially sets his return for Christmas Day against the reigning NBA champions Raptors in Toronto.
Hayward fractured his left hand in Saturday night's win at San Antonio in a collision with Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
The 29-year-old played just under 15 minutes before the incident, which occurred when he was guarding Dejounte Murray and he ran into Aldridge just outside the paint with 1:34 left in the first half.
Aldridge drew an offensive foul, and Hayward quickly exited to the locker room nursing his left hand. He had scored nine points on 4-of-9 shooting before departing.
Hayward entered Saturday's game against the Spurs averaging 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. The former All-Star also suffered a season-ending leg injury just one game into the 2017-18 season.
"He was frustrated; he was down. But this isn't like last time," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said on Monday.
"I mean he's going to miss some time, but whenever you miss a little bit less time, there can be a silver lining. There's a lot of games. We've got an opportunity now for other guys to step up as he's out. And that will be a real challenge.
"I mean we've got a tough schedule, and that's been the case all along. But certainly, when one of your guys goes down, it's just an opportunity for somebody else."
