Celtics' Hayward ahead of schedule in recovery from broken hand

Oct 26, 2019; New York, NY: Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward dribbles up court during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Oct 26, 2019; New York, NY: Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward dribbles up court during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. (Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports)

98.5 The Sports Hub staff report

Good news continues to come Gordon Hayward and the Celtics' way.

Out of action since suffering a broken hand in the Green's Nov. 9 win over the Spurs, the 29-year-old forward seems definitively ahead of the original six-week recovery timeframe following a positive update from C's coach Brad Stevens.

But the good news didn't stop there, as Stevens noted that he's "hopeful" that Stevens will join the team for practice on Sunday.

The Celtics have managed without Hayward (they're 9-4 since Hayward went on the shelf), but there's no doubt that they'd love to get No. 20 back in action, as Hayward was in the midst of a career-year, averaging 18.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per night to go with a career-best 55.5 field goal percentage through the first eight games of the year.

At 16-5, the Celtics are currently just three games behind the Bucks for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.