ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had some especially interesting intelligence for Boston Celtics fans Saturday afternoon — veteran forward Gordon Hayward is anticipated to play in Game 3, according to the NBA insider.
In an article published ahead of Game 3, Wojnarowski related the optimism his source had for the Butler product to suit up for the critical contest in Boston’s East Finals series with the Miami Heat.
“Barring a setback in pregame warm-ups,” came the intel, “there’s significant optimism within the Boston Celtics that forward Gordon Hayward will make a return to the lineup for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat on Saturday night, sources told ESPN.”
Wojnarowski’s update comes a little more than a month after the initial injury took Hayward out of the rotation with a Grade III ankle sprain deemed to have a four-week recovery period.
Previewing Boston Celtics-Miami Heat Game 3, Eastern Conference Finals https://t.co/N6eDPyJBpm
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 19, 2020
The Indiana native would be a massive addition to a Celtics roster struggling to score against the Heat’s lengthier zone defense.
Boston fans ought not to get too used to seeing Hayward in uniform if he does return however, as his wife is due to give birth to their next child near the end of September, with the veteran wing planning to be present.
For the moment, the focus must be on the present for the team, and the prospect of a Hayward return ought to be a most welcome one for a flailing Celtics squad hoping to keep their postseason aspirations alive.
