Stevens: Hayward 'not playing this year'

After all the talk about Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward potentially making a comeback this year, head coach Brad Stevens decided to put an end to it Saturday.

"He's not playing this year. I don't know what else to say," Stevens told reporters, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg.

Hayward has been sidelined since dislocating his left ankle and fracturing his tibia just five minutes into his much-anticipated Celtics debut. After videos emerged showing Hayward walking and shooting around, reporters were quick to ask Stevens about the player's chances of fully recovering and making an appearance before the season ends.

"I think the videos are great too because it continues to show the progress," Stevens said. "Because sometimes, when you're in the midst of that long rehab, you don't feel the progress of the day to day the way (that) now, we might all see a video - or somebody that hasn't seen him may see a video - and say, 'Man, he really is getting better.' But he's a super long way away from even being in a 1-on-0 workout where he's cutting."

After seven seasons with the Utah Jazz, Hayward signed a four-year, $128-million deal this past offseason to join the Celtics and his former college head coach.