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Boston Celtics News: Gordon Hayward says he’s ‘basically 100 percent’ after ankle injury

By Thomas King

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics are seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics are seen during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics wing Gordon Hayward met with the media to share news on his recovery. Hayward has returned to full basketball activities after a devastating ankle injury last year.

Boston Celtics guard Gordon Hayward told reporters gathered at the Auerbach Center in Brighton Thursday afternoon that he’s ‘basically 100 percent’ after his recovery from a broken ankle on Opening Night.

“I’m feeling really good right now, had two weeks now of playing full-court basketball, five-on-five [with] pretty much no restrictions,” Hayward said.

“I’m just excited to be out there, it’s so much fun being able to play again and play with my teammates.”

Props to MassLive’s Tall Tom Westerholm for sticking his arms up and getting this clean video of Gordon Hayward and his new hairstyle.

Hayward injured himself less than six minutes into his Boston Celtics debut, going up for an alley-oop, and shattering his left ankle on the horrific landing. The All-Star forward signed a maximum four-year, $128-million contract with the Celtics prior to the season.

Hayward averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5  assists per game in his last season with the Utah Jazz. Though Hayward said he’s 100 percent healthy, he still feels the rust from having missed so much time on the court.

“These past two weeks and the next, probably, month or so will be good to to get back into the game, to feel the rhythm, the timing, different things like that,” Hayward said.

The Boston Celtics open training camp on September 26th and their first preseason game is against the Charlotte Hornets two nights later. Hayward said he also expects to be ready for team’s regular season opener on October 16th vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.

“The last step for me as far as from a physical standpoint is like the little explosion, that little last juice, bounce that you get,” Hayward said. “So that’s going to take maybe the longest time. But, like I said, for the most part, I feel very good.”

Hayward will join a team that finished 55-27 in his absence, advancing all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

While Hayward naturally doesn’t feel he has his explosion back just yet, Kyrie Irving appeared on social media showing that he looks pretty explosive and healthy himself. With Hayward and Irving returning, the Boston Celtics are the favorites in the Eastern Conference, even with the Toronto Raptors trading for Kawhi Leonard.

Hayward’s scoring and playmaking abilities will unlock new gears to the Celtics offense, while his defensive strengths will only enhance the versatility and athleticism that led Boston to the top defensive rating in the NBA last season.

After a long year of rehab, Hayward sounded like a guy who appreciated the opportunity he has now more than ever–itching to get back on the court once and for all.

“The hardest part of this whole process has been the mental challenge,” Hayward.

After a long journey, that challenge is finally entering a new stage: redemption.

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