Celtics still unsure whether Hayward's injury is season-ending
The immediate future of Gordon Hayward remains clouded in mystery following his catastrophic injury midway through the first quarter of the Boston Celtics' season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the All-Star forward having yet to undergo surgery to repair his fractured left tibia and dislocated ankle, head coach Brad Stevens told reporters Wednesday that the team remains unsure whether the injury will end Hayward's season, according to MassLive.com's Jay King.
Stevens added, though, that Hayward is expected to make a full recovery.
"I was (at the hospital) for a minute last night and also again today for an hour or so. He's down," said Stevens, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "Obviously there's a physical pain to it but I think it's also doubled by the emotional pain of, you know, he put a lot of effort into trying to start this, his career out well in Boston.
"But this is a setback; we're expecting a full recovery. And we know there are going to be a lot of tough days ahead on that recovery but, at the same time, hopefully he'll improve day to day, but it's been tough. It's been tough for him."
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Hayward will go under the knife Wednesday night, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
As far as who will be his replacement in the starting lineup, Stevens said Marcus Smart will be added to join Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, rookie Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford.
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Boston returns home to host the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at the TD Garden.