As expected, the Boston Celtics have announced that veteran forward Gordon Hayward will not be suiting up in Game 2 of the team’s first round series against Atlantic Division rival Philadelphia 76ers.
Hayward, who subluxated his right ankle coming down off of a rebound attempt when his foot landed on Philly center Joel Embiid’s foot, is expected to miss roughly four months as his ankle recovers.
With plans to leave the Disney restart bubble in early September for the birth of his child, the Butler product may well be headed there early as a result of the injury, pending the decisions made regarding his rehabilitation.
#NEBHInjuryReport for Game 2 vs. Philadelphia:
Jaylen Brown (right thigh contusion) – PROBABLE
Gordon Hayward (right ankle sprain) – OUT— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 18, 2020
The Celtics also announced that shooting guard Jaylen Brown is probable for Game 2 against the Sixers Wednesday with a thigh contusion after a hard collision with — you guessed it — Embiid in the second half of Monday’s win.
That news is not too much of a surprise given Brown was able to play some with the contusion during the game, though such injuries often feel worse the day after.
Boston will need as many healthy bodies as possible with the loss of Hayward though, with the Celtics already needing a little creativity to fill the Butler product’s absence, so this is unambiguously good news after some very bad.
