Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward has left the bubble while recovering from his Grade 3 right ankle sprain, head coach Brad Stevens said Sunday.
Hayward suffered the injury in Game 1 of the Celtics’ first-round series with the Sixers and is likely to miss four weeks. That timeline would have him missing the Eastern Conference semifinals at the very least. The team had also been preparing for Hayward to leave the bubble in September to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s fourth child.
“I think it’s two separate things,” Hayward said on Thursday, speaking of the rehab and child’s arrival, “but it’s something I’m taking a look at. It’s just very unfortunate of the timing of the whole deal, so I think I’m just trying to take it day by day, and we’re looking at scheduling for the baby and all that stuff, so it’s taking it day by day.”
Hayward has been crucial to Boston’s success all season, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 38.3% 3-point shooting.
