NBA Rumors: Gordon Hayward likely to miss remainder of 2017-18 season

NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is likely to miss the remainder of the 2017-18 season after suffering gruesome ankle injury

The Boston Celtics had high hopes coming into the 2017-18 NBA season. Although, much of them dissipated as soon as Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome left ankle injury on opening night.

After being diagnosed with a dislocated ankle and broken tibia, the initial thought was that Hayward would likely miss a good chunk, if not all, of the remainder of the season. And now that he’s undergone surgery, those thoughts are now the official prognosis.

According to Hayward’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, Hayward is unlikely to return during the 2017-18 NBA season.

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"[via ESPN]Celtics All-Star forward Gordon Hayward is unlikely to return during the 2017-18 season, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.Hayward underwent surgery to repair a dislocated left ankle and a fractured tibia in Boston on Wednesday night, a procedure that Bartelstein labeled a success.“We expect him to make a full recovery and return to his All-Star form,” Bartelstein said."

This is probably the most fair possible diagnosis. Why would his agent, or the Celtics, apply pressure on Hayward to recover quickly – or by, say, February.

Even if he does recover quicker, this essentially protects him from criticism from fans if he suffers a setback or his body reacts differently than the doctors thought it would.

The good news is that Hayward should make a full recovery and return back to form – whether that takes six months or an entire year.

Interestingly, though, Mike Lynch of WCVB-TV Boston notes that the surgery went well and his injury could’ve been worse. Essentially, he says that there is a chance Hayward could be cleared by March. That’s the best-case scenario.

New information on Hayward surgery. As good as doctors could hope. Clean break, no ligament damage. Prognosis is good. Best case? March
— Mike Lynch (@LynchieWCVB) October 19, 2017

Question is, if Hayward does get cleared by March or at some point in March, would the Celtics bring him back into the lineup? Or, as we’ve seen a few times before, would they rather play the safe game and hold him until the start of next season?

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It’s an interesting question, to say the least. And likely a good problem to have for Boston, especially assuming they’re going to be in playoff contention regardless. In the end, though, we shouldn’t expect Hayward to return this season. If he does, great. But we shouldn’t be assuming that it will happen. That wouldn’t be fair to him.