By: Nick Frieburger | Staffwriter
“Oh, my goodness, Hayward has broken his leg”.
This is the phrase Celtics fans will hear every time they think of opening night 2017. This wasn’t how it was supposed to start. Hayward was exactly what the Celtics needed going into the 2017-2018 season; a versatile wing who can defend and score at will, a pure All-Star.
It was a backside alley-oop pass from Celtics star point guard Kyrie Irving, but it became a play that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Hayward met Lebron James at the rim, and from there, his life would change forever.
Coming off a career with the Utah Jazz, Hayward decided it was time for a change. On July 4th, 2017 he made his decision: he would be heading East to join a loaded young Celtics team and reunite with his former college coach Brad Stevens. He and the Celtics both believed he was who they needed to take over the Eastern Conference and compete for an NBA title.
In a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference finals, Boston and Cleveland were set to face off in the season opener. To further add to the hype, Kyrie Irving was returning to face his former team for the first time since demanding a trade out of Cleveland.
But this night wasn’t about any of these things. Instead, it would be remembered for one of the most horrific sports injuries of all time.
After an awkward fall, fans around the country watched in disbelief as Hayward gruesomely dislocated his ankle and broke his tibia. Following the injury there were so many questions needed to be answered. When will Hayward return? Will he ever be the same player? Hayward personally felt like he just received a huge blow. This was supposed to be a great year, a new team and chance to get to the NBA finals. It all ended just within five minutes. Now he had to focus on coming back to be the same player everyone knew before; one of the best and most versatile small forwards in the league.
He underwent surgery the following day, and then it was time to focus on rehab. Every morning he would wake up and go to the practice facility and do anything he could to get better. Hayward recalls days this past winter where he would stay so long at the facility, he never saw day light.
Every day I'm a step closer to being back. @PlayersTribune pic.twitter.com/zExMdb419r
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) March 26, 2018
While there he would spend most of the time in the weight room regaining his strength, but as he progressed, he started jogging on a machine called an “AlterG” which is basically an anti-gravity treadmill. It was all about the small personal achievements. Taking his first steps, being able to pick up marbles with his feet, lightly jogging and jumping. Every day he did something a little better than the day before.
All summer was spent by Hayward trying his best to get back to full form, and he has taken drastic steps to get to where he is today. Who would’ve thought a year after an injury that significant, he’d be back on the court?
First time running without assistance. @PlayersTribune pic.twitter.com/otaHVlodFE
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) April 2, 2018
Although he’s back, not everything is smooth sailing. Hayward is still unable to do many of the basketball skills that made him who he was before the injury. He says that it will all come along the more games he plays. After a 109-89 win against the Pistons on October 27th, Hayward told the media, “With each game I’m kind of starting to remember who I was.” Now the NBA season is upon us and Hayward is back out there with his Celtics teammates.
It’s a small sample size, but so far this season Hayward is averaging 11.3 points per game on 43% shooting. He’s on a minute restriction to start the season, but in games against Toronto, Detroit, and Milwaukee, he has shown his ability to be the same player he was before the injury.
In a game against the undefeated Bucks, Hayward dropped 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds during a season high 27 minutes. After the game when asked about his health he said, “I have to land on that one foot a little awkwardly, just so mentally I know I can do it, but also physically I can hold and be strong.” He has shown great progression since the start of the season and will continue to feel better as the season goes on. Though it’s a new season, he has the same goal as the year before: to help the Boston Celtics win banner 18.
