The Boston Celtics will be without forward Gordon Hayward for the remainder of the first round and then some.
The team today announced that Hayward suffered a Grade III sprain of his right ankle during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of its first round series with the Philadelphia 76ers and will be sidelined for approximately four weeks.
#NEBHInjuryReport Celtics forward @gordonhayward suffered a Grade III sprain of his right ankle during the fourth quarter of last night’s game against Philadelphia. He is expected to miss approximately four weeks.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 18, 2020
Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
Hayward finished Game 1 with 12 points on 5-for-13 (38.5%) shooting to go along with four rebounds, four steals and three assists.
He found his stride over the regular season, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 52 games and was expected to carry this play over into the postseason. Prior to the injury, it was already reported that Hayward would be leaving the NBA's campus to be with his wife, who is due to give birth in September.
With games being spaced closer together this postseason, a four-week timeline for recovery could mean Hayward is sidelined deep into the postseason, well beyond the first two rounds, meaning if the Celtics advance past the first round, it is unlikely that they'll get Hayward back when they face the winner of the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets first-round series.
Boston is back in action when it takes on Philadelphia in Game 2 of the opening round on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 4:00 a.m.
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