A. Sherrod Blakely: Gordon Hayward said his left foot still gets sore sometimes, adding that he thinks it’s associated with the gruesome foot injury he suffered at the start of the 2017 season, his first in Boston.
Storyline: Gordon Hayward Injury
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Chris Grenham: Gordon Hayward will play without a minute restriction today, per Stevens.
Gary Washburn: Jaylen Brown out at least a week. Hayward day to day and Kemba just getting back to back rest. #Celtics
Tim Bontemps: Boston’s season as the walking wounded continues: Marcus Smart (quad) and Brad Wanamaker (ankle) are probable. Jaylen Brown (ankle), Gordon Hayward (foot) and Kemba Walker (knee) are questionable. Daniel Theis (ankle) and Robert Williams (hip) are out.
Chris Forsberg: Gordon Hayward says he’s been dealing with nerve issue in foot. Has received three cortisone shots but is hopeful most recent will work. Admits he’s frustrated. Also believes it’s related to his ankle injury. Hayward said he’ll see how ankle feels tomorrow but hopeful to play.
Mark Murphy: Cortisone shot appears to have been solution re: Hayward’s foot. “I was super frustrated. I broke my hand and this was a different issue. When I wasn’t playing you would think I could figure it out. We were calling around the country trying to figure it out. Hopefully we did.”
Jay King: Gordon Hayward said he thinks the nerve pain has “everything do with” his prior injury. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
Tim Bontemps: Brad Stevens says Gordon Hayward had a strong workout this morning. Won’t play today but says he expects him to be probable after today – meaning he’ll likely be back for Christmas Day in Toronto.
Tim MacMahon: Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Gordon Hayward has been dealing with lingering foot soreness since before his hand injury. Hayward had a cortisone shot and it didn’t respond well. Will get another MRI tomorrow.
Gary Washburn: #Celtics declare Gordon Hayward OUT tonight with a sore left foot. #Mavericks
Jared Weiss: Stevens says Gordon Hayward is going through walkthrough today with the intention of playing. Meeting with training staff now.
Gordon Hayward back tomorrow?
Gordon Hayward broke his left hand four weeks ago against the San Antonio Spurs. Today, the former All-Star wing told reporters that he could return tomorrow to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Tomorrow’s a possibility,” he said. “See how I feel when I wake up, go through shoot-around, see how it goes.”
Chris Forsberg: Gordon Hayward on his broken hand… “Bone has healed, probably stronger than my right hand. There’s a plate in there with screws. The bone is good. … Tomorrow’s a possibility. See how I feel when I wake up, go through shootaround, see how it goes.”
The four week return would be much earlier than the initial six week prognosis, which is partly because of quick healing, and partly by design. “I think as it’s steadily improving and can do more and more, you start to think coming back a little bit earlier,” Hayward said. “I think you set the timeline a little bit later than what you’re hoping for just so that you guys and everyone else isn’t like, ‘If you’re late like, what’s the deal?’”
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Gordon Hayward will likely return to practice Sunday.
Hayward added that he expects to be dealing with effects from the injury throughout the season. “It’s definitely something where, hopefully not the rest of the season, but certainly a lengthy part of the season, I’m going to have to continue to get treatment, continue to ice it and kind of manage some of the symptoms,” Hayward said. “I don’t want it to get hit again, but I’m sure it will get hit again, and when that happens it’ll be sore. So I’ll manage that. But it’ll be something I deal with for the rest of the year.”
The initial Celtics timetable had Hayward projected to return six weeks after the surgery just ahead of Christmas and there has been no adjustment to that plan as of now. “It’s still hard to say exactly,” Hayward admitted when asked about a return plan. “But we have some good days here at home where I can practice and really do the things I want to do and kind of feel it out and see how it responds. I did a lot on it today, so I think it’s going to be more sore. It might swell up, so hopefully as soon as I’m done here go ice it and get some of the swelling down and kind of just take it day by day.”
On Tuesday, Hayward practiced with the team — stepping aside for live run to be an official, according to Brad Stevens — but he did something resembling contact drills with Celtics coaches. “I played a little kind of like hybrid contact today with coaches and stuff,” Hayward told reporters. “It’s definitely sore and I think that’s something I’ve got to work through. I’ve got to work through that to make my hand stronger, and hopefully over the next couple of days I can do that and get it kind of more the same strength of my right hand. I think it’s going to be a little while, and plus I was right-hand dominant anyway. So it’s definitely going to probably not be the exact same, but get it more strengthened so the percentage is closer to my right.”
Jay King: Gordon Hayward expects for deal with symptoms from his injury for a while after he returns. He did some structured contact drills with coaches today, cracked that they’re not exactly NBA players.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Gordon Hayward will have another meeting on Monday via FaceTime with his doctor to discuss the healing process on his surgically repaired left hand to see what’s the next step in his recovery process, according to #Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
Jared Weiss: Important Gordon Hayward update: Hayward was able to continue gaming after the injury and said it actually served as rehab to keep his fingers moving.
Tim Bontemps: In other injury news, Stevens says Gordon Hayward’s recovery from surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand is “on pace.” Adds that rookie Tremont Waters, who was called up from the G-League today and is on a two-way, will be active if Walker doesn’t play against Sacramento.
Tom Westerholm: Brad Stevens says Gordon Hayward started shooting again this week. He doesn’t expect Hayward to lose much on that end, which is a positive with his injury.
“It’s a drop in a bucket, for sure,” said Hayward, meeting with reporters before Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards. “Like I said, happy that it shouldn’t be that long. Obviously frustrated — it sucks watching and not being able to go out there and play, especially with the start that we’ve had. I think this time around, I’ll be able to run around, use my legs still, maintain my conditioning, which I’m very thrilled about and then be around the team, too. And kinda stay involved, which is good.”
Hayward said surgeons inserted both a pin and a plate at the fracture to both stabilize and expedite the recovery process. He will not travel at the start of Boston’s upcoming five-game trip out west and will have a follow-up with the hand surgeon in New York while waiting for clearance to travel. Hayward appeared in good spirits despite the injury. His splint is already covered in drawings from his two oldest daughters, Charlotte and Bernadette. Despite his advice on color choices, he maintained a “Daddy’s Always Happy” face when detailing what his daughters sketched.
Jay King: Gordon Hayward said once the bone is healed it could become a pain tolerance thing. He thinks it could be helpful that it’s on his left hand.
Jay King: Gordon Hayward: “It’s frustrating, no doubt about it. … But I think with all things considered it’s not that bad and should be healed up pretty nicely pretty soon.”
Gordon Hayward out until Christmas
Chris Forsberg: Six-week timeline puts Gordon Hayward on pace to return right before Christmas. Would miss 19 games if he returned in Toronto.
A. Sherrod Blakely: Brad Stevens said #Celtics Gordon Hayward (left hand fracture) had surgery beginning at 5 pm and the team will have update shortly after it is over.
Jared Weiss: Stevens said Hayward started surgery at five but update won’t come til after game. Brad asked for diagnosis: “It’s a broken hand…It was a metatarsal, I’m sure.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: Boston’s Gordon Hayward will undergo surgery on his fractured left hand today, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Hayward will undergo surgery in New York this afternoon, a timeline on his return will come after the procedure, Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Gordon Hayward is at the doctor’s right now. If surgery is deemed the right option, it would probably be ASAP.
If it is a simple metacarpal fracture, what’s the best-case scenario for something like that generally? Dr, Flynn: With surgery, four weeks is feasible. Surgery can speed things up but the hand surgeon needs to decide if it would be necessary.
What’s the worst-case scenario for Hayward with this type of injury? For instance, Steph Curry is out at least three months after suffering his broken hand and having surgery? Why was that worse? Dr. Flynn: Curry had a second metacarpal fracture that was likely much more complex and possibly involved the joint.
Mark Murphy: Marcus Smart on losing Gordon Hayward: “We love seeing Gordon the way he’s been playing. We love seeing that Gordon. We just all feel so bad for him because he worked so hard to come back from one injury, with all the things he’s been doing, and now this happens.”
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens on Gordon Hayward to reporters in San Antonio: “Broken hand. No timeline. He’s going to meet with the doctors tomorrow and decide if he needs to do surgery or not. Sounds like, should he decide that, the surgery option might actually be a better timeline.”
Gordon Hayward suffers injury
Gary Washburn: Hayward headed right to the locker room after taking that Aldridge pick, favoring his right hand. #Celtics #Spurs
Jay King: Gordon Hayward got hit in the elbow during the first half. Brad Stevens said it doesn’t seem like anything big. They thought it was just a bruise on first examination.
Tim Bontemps: Celtics say Aron Baynes and Gordon Hayward are both questionable for tonight’s game against the Spurs, while Jayson Tatum is doubtful after taking a hard fall late in last night’s loss in Charlotte and Al Horford remains out to rest his knee.
Jared Weiss: Horford will rest against Charlotte while Hayward remains out due to his concussion per the team. Baynes remains out, but all 3 could be back Sunday vs. SA.
Steve Bulpett: Stevens on Hayward (concussion protocol): “I don’t know if he’s officially been ruled out (Saturday v Charlotte), but it’s likely that he’s out. He felt a lot better the last couple of days, has gone through every progression OK, so we’ll see if he’s available Sunday.”
John Karalis: Brad Stevens says Gordon Hayward has progressed well and might be available tomorrow. Aron Baynes had an MRI that was very encouraging and he might not be out as long as originally feared
Gary Washburn: No Gordon Hayward at #Celtics practice in Charlotte. RJ Hunter and PJ Dozier are here.
Jay King: Brad Stevens doesn’t know what concussion protocol means for Gordon Hayward’s status the rest of the week. Guessed he will be doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the 76ers, could join the Celtics in time for Saturday’s meeting with Charlotte. But certainly nothing set in stone.
Chris Grenham: Gordon Hayward is officially out tonight due to the concussion protocol. Robert Williams is sick and also out, while Al Horford is available, per the team.
Jared Weiss: Brad Stevens sent Gordon Hayward home at halftime after straining his neck and being woozy after the hit to John Collins’ shoulder.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics say Gordon Hayward has a strained neck and is out for the rest of the game.
Jay King: Gordon Hayward’s available tonight.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics upgrade Gordon Hayward to probable for Saturday’s game vs Bulls.
Ben Rohrbach: Danny Ainge on @985TheSportsHub says Gordon Hayward rolled his ankle playing one on one with Semi Ojeleye. He’s questionable for tonight‘s game.
Jay King: Brad Stevens said Aron Baynes will not play on this trip. Gordon Hayward is day to day, did not practice, listed as questionable for tomorrow. He twisted his ankle playing 1-on-1 against Ojeleye over the break.
Hayward has in fact been playing for the Celtics all season. But there’s a difference between being back and being back. And that difference, more than anything else, explains why the Celtics enter Saturday’s game mired in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, having so far failed to live up to their lofty preseason expectations. “I think with each month I feel more comfortable,” Hayward told ESPN last week. “Sometimes, I need to remind myself it’s good to even be out there, and to try to find the joy in just playing, [and] not get frustrated if things aren’t going exactly how I want them to.”
Scott Souza: #Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirms both Jaylen Brown & Gordon Hayward (both sick) are back tonight. Aron Baynes starts for Al Horford (knee). Brown & Hayward remain off bench.
Abby Chin: Gordon Hayward officially not sick any more and will play tonight according to his Insta. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/YOl8bruQ9n
Tom Westerholm: The Celtics’ injury report for Washington includes Baynes and Horford (both questionable) and Hayward (doubtful with his illness). No Kyrie, however, which is a good sign.
Tom Westerholm: No Al Horford and no Gordon Hayward tonight, per the Celtics.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics list Jaylen Brown (Right Low Back Bruise) as doubtful vs New Orleans. Terry Rozier (Left Knee Soreness) is probable. Gordon Hayward off the injury list and should be back after sitting out the second night of a back to back.
Tim Bontemps: Stevens downplayed any long-term issues with Hayward’s ankle. Hayward is currently in the hallway outside Boston’s locker room doing some exercises. Appears to be a maintenance situation.
Tom Westerholm: Lengthy injury list for the Celtics tonight, which includes Gordon Hayward (out with ankle soreness) and Terry Rozier (questionable with knee soreness). Looks like Al Horford is good to go.
Scott Souza: #Celtics Brad Stevens: Gordon Hayward will play tonight, still on minute restriction. Hayward will start.
Chris Forsberg: Brad Stevens says it’s just general soreness for Gordon Hayward. Aron Baynes starts.
Hayward still believes he can lift his game to a new level. He still aims to deliver titles and maximize his individual potential, but when he speaks about what he ultimately wants to accomplish, he lists skills rather than accolades. He wants to sharpen his decision-making in pick-and-rolls and dribble handoffs. He believes he can see the floor better, inflict more punishment on smaller defenders, and take advantage of all the space the Celtics’ style should afford. Hayward wants to avoid focusing on All-Star berths. This season, after all the anguish, and monotonous rehab, Hayward’s priority is to stay on the court. “Get through this year healthy,” he said of his priorities during a phone interview this week.
“Play in each and every game like it could be my last game. I think with the injury it’s kind of given me some perspective. So I do think that I can still be a better player (than I was), and I do still think that there’s so much more that I can get out of myself.
Gordon Hayward says he is managing back soreness that was getting “progressively worse” as the Boston Celtics forward prepared for the regular-season opener next week. Hayward, who did not play in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers, told reporters Wednesday that his back has bothered him in the past but that he would typically recover quickly. This time, the soreness lingered, Hayward said.
“That’s what made me feel like I needed to dial it back a little bit,” Hayward said. “In the past, it’s bothered me but always calmed down and was fine with treatments and stuff. But this time it was getting worse, especially after playing.”
August 6, 2020 | 9:09 pm EDT Update
NBA Central: NURK ON BOL BOL pic.twitter.com/nR4Iag7g8e
August 6, 2020 | 7:35 pm EDT Update
Salman Ali: Russell Westbrook is out tonight (right quad contusion). Ben McLemore will start tonight.
Kendra Andrews: Jamal Murray and Troy Daniels are official OUT tonight against Portland. So the Nuggets will be without Murray, Daniels, Barton, Harris and Millsap.
Ira Winderman: Spoelstra, “It’s not like we were up 40.”
Duane Rankin: “Kobe is with me every day.” Devin Booker. #Suns
August 6, 2020 | 6:55 pm EDT Update
Anthony Chiang: FINAL: Bucks 130, Heat 116.
StatMuse: The Suns are 4-0 in the bubble. In that span: Booker — 28 PPG, 7 APG, 40 3P% Ayton — 18 PPG, 9 RPG, 59 FG% Rubio — 17 PPG, 6 APG, 50 3P% Saric — 15 PPG, 8 RPG, 53 FG% Cam Johnson — 13 PPG, 9 RPG Cam Payne — 12 PPG, 54 FG%, 53 3P% pic.twitter.com/V9Xr8l1Uso
August 6, 2020 | 5:30 pm EDT Update
August 6, 2020 | 4:52 pm EDT Update
Jason Jones: Kings beat the Pelicans, 140-135 for their first win in the bubble after 3 losses. Bogi career-high 35 pts, Fox 30 pts, 10 asts. 140 pts are a season high.
Oleh Kosel: Alvin Gentry on the Pelicans loss to the Kings: “They shot the ball extremely well. We were never into them though…We basically gave up a 50-point quarter.” Then the head coach laments the defense in the second half.
Brandon Rahbar: Dennis Schroder is still with family after the birth of his baby. There isn’t yet a timetable for his return. If he tests negative every day out of the Bubble, he’ll need to quarantine for 4 days when he returns. OKC’s last game is in 8 days. Plenty of time before playoffs.
Bradley Beal: It’s getting SPICY!!!!!!!!!!
August 6, 2020 | 3:58 pm EDT Update
Oleh Kosel: Pelicans dropping to 1-3 in bubble & play-in hopes slipping away – blew 16-point lead vs Jazz – foot-stomped by Clippers – beat mediocre Grizzlies – outplayed by more spirited Kings Don’t think front office won’t consider subpar Orlando results. They’ll react to certain facets.
Jamie Hudson: Nuggets Injury Report vs. Blazers today: Troy Daniels (right hip; tightness) and Jamal Murray (left hamstring; tightness) are questionable. Will Barton (right knee; soreness), Gary Harris (right hip; muscle strain) and Paul Millsap (rest) are out.
August 6, 2020 | 3:20 pm EDT Update
Tim Reynolds: The initial reads on all tests performed on Jimmy Butler’s foot/ankle have not revealed any major issues, source says. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said pregame today that Butler is in rest and recovery mode.
Jason Jones: Career-high 33 points for Bogi
August 6, 2020 | 2:24 pm EDT Update
That will hinge on a couple of primary factors: which treatment option Simmons decides on, and how his body responds to the treatment. While Simmons’ general durability and recovery from a recent back injury are encouraging factors, it’s hard to say what the timetable looks like until the specifics are hammered down. Surgery is usually not recommended for first-time injuries of this nature, but even conservative treatment plans can last in the neighborhood of six weeks.
Brown, who sat down for dinner with Simmons on Wednesday evening inside the bubble, recalled the work Simmons put in to get ready for the Orlando restart in the first place. One word to sum up Simmons’ mood? “There is clearly disappointment. I don’t know if anyone really understood what he did to get ready to play basketball again. He really invested time,” Brown said. “It’s monotonous, some of the smaller things he had to do…I think the uncertainty of what really is it right now is obviously there. But he’s a great teammate, and his teammates care about him.”
Few could have imagined the red-hot start that both the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns have gotten off to in the NBA bubble with 3-0 records. For Pacers forward T.J. Warren, the setting in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, suits him perfectly: all basketball, all the time. Never mind the fact that he’s facing his former team that traded him to Indiana last summer for cash considerations. Warren says he just wants to hoop.
“Even with all that in the past, I was always self-motivated,” Warren told ESPN by phone Wednesday. “Never allowed nobody to put a limit on my talent. No matter what the political stuff was or anything from high school, college to the NBA, you always face adversity, but I feel like it’s how you respond, how you rise to the occasion and I feel like me, personally, I just always feel like I’m able to adapt and respond in a positive way with my game.
Booker nailed a buzzer-beating, turnaround jumper over Paul George to cap a 35-point performance in a 117-115 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Even as impressive as he has been, Booker still finds the time to chat regularly with his old teammate as they’re looking forward to the clash. “We still communicate. We still talk a lot,” Booker said of Warren. “This relationship, that’s for life. It’s a respectful relationship. I’m happy the situation that he’s in and the opportunity that he’s getting and the way he’s performing.”
August 6, 2020 | 1:36 pm EDT Update
Chase Hughes: Jerome Robinson on life in the bubble: “I’m the best fisherman here. I grew up fishing.” Robinson is from North Carolina.
