In a video provided by NBC Sports Boston’s A. Sherrod Blakely, Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward can be seen taking three-point attempts on the team’s practice court — without any need to protect his hand — just two weeks after fracturing his left court metacarpal against the San Antonio Spurs.
After having a surgery to repair the fracture, Hayward was given a six-week timeline to return to the court. It would appear that Hayward is ahead of schedule and in part due to him keeping up one of his favorite hobbies while he was out: gaming.
According to Hayward, playing video games helped keep his fingers active and subsequently has been a factor in his recovery.
Hayward should still be out for another four weeks if he adheres to his original timeline. That would place his return near Boston’s Christmas Day game against the wounded Golden State Warriors.
Before going out with his injury, Hayward was stringing together strong performances and looking like a key player for the Celtics with his decision-making and playmaking ability.
Now two years removed from fracturing his leg and dislocating his ankle against the Cleveland Cavaliers in an injury that’s still hard to watch, Hayward has averaged 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.8 steals per game this season while shooting 55.5% from the field and 44.3% from three.
