In all the furor over lost chances over the Boston Celtics’ lost chances, two intertwined storylines have not gotten their due.
One being that veteran forward sacrificed not only being physically present for the birth of his first son, but that he was also doing it injured, on a sprained ankle that was still two weeks away from actually being ready to go.
According to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, the Indiana native’s ankle was in much worse shape than one would hope, given the stakes.
“According to an NBA source, Hayward sustained nerve and retinaculum damage in that sprained ankle and he could barely jump. He needed about two-plus more weeks of rehab that the Celtics just didn’t have,” shared Washburn, “so he played on one leg.”
And in the end, Boston did too — never quite able to find the footing they needed to get the basketball promised land.
Gordon Hayward remains in bubble after wife Robyn gives birth to son https://t.co/hw6ZOzIN6g
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 24, 2020
Now, the Butler product’s future with the team is murky due to the dynamics of COVID-19, the NBA salary cap, and how the team’s front office — and Hayward — may be looking at their respective futures.
While the tenure of Brad Stevens’ former collegiate-prospect-turned-All-Star may have gone off the rails almost as soon as he started, we should take a moment to appreciate the steadfast dedication and loyalty he brought to the team.
And while we get that business of the future of the team sorted out, Hayward will be enjoying the best things in life — time off with the people he loves.
And here’s Gordon Hayward, with his new son, rocking an Anta t-shirt https://t.co/kb6sxLoXSt pic.twitter.com/vJioAf8z2a
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) September 29, 2020
Especially the new arrival.
Weiss: Indy may move Oladipo, Turner; should Boston make a call?
