Injured Celtics Star Given August Return Date

Boston Celtics fans received some positive news Monday, as head coach Brad Stevens told the Boston Globe that former all-star Gordon Hayward should be cleared to return to regular basketball activities by August.

“Everything is good and pointed toward being back exactly where he was—hopefully pain-free, because that plate is taken out—in the middle of July, which probably points to an early-August, mid-August fully cleared time frame,” said Stevens.

Hayward has been sidelined since a gruesome leg injury suffered in Boston’s 2017-18 season opener. He is currently recuperating from last month’s successful surgery to remove a plate and screws from the leg.

Despite the absence of Hayward, their prized free-agent signing, the Celtics won 55 games this season, coming within one game of the NBA Finals. The addition of Hayward would make them a true force to be reckoned with, in the Eastern Conference and beyond.