Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat: 3 initial thoughts ahead of their ECF clash

Will we see Gordon Hayward in this series?

The early reports are that Gordon Hayward is likely to return in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it’s not known when that will actually happen. Hayward was ruled out for at least four weeks around August 18. Four weeks would, interestingly enough, fall around the expected start of the series.

Will he be available for Game 1? That’s unlikely, as Stevens admitted that there’s still no solid timeline on when he’ll be ready to play. It should be stated that he has cleared quarantine and was with the team on the sideline during Game 7 against the Raptors.

"[via Boston.com] “I think he’ll be back at some point in that series, but I don’t know when,” Stevens said late Friday night after the Celtics eliminated the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of their second-round playoff series."

Hayward could be a huge game-changer in this series. Mind you, he might need time to get back into playing shape but had a great bounce-back season in 2019-20 in which he averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 50 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Gordon Hayward’s return could be something that turns this series, there’s no question about it.