NBA: Hayward’s making progress on rehab:”This is fantastic.”

Gordon Hayward is making progress in rehab following his serious leg and ankle injury. Since Wednesday he has been off his walking boat and can walk without any aids. Hayward feels euphoric.

According to ESPN, Hayward has received permission from the doctors to take off his walking boat. Now he only wears a smaller splint on the injured left ankle. He no longer needs crutches to walk.

“This feels fantastic,”Hayward said at a community event,”The rehab is a long way to go and can change every day. But today is a great day.”

Now it’s a matter of watching how his foot and leg will react to the changes and which movements Hayward is already capable of making:”Maybe I’ll have to go back in my shoe again, but maybe I’ll never see him again.”

Hayward had pulled a tibia fracture against the Cavaliers at the Season Opener and dislocated his ankle. He was then told that he would miss the rest of the season. At least he did not want to rule out the possibility of something else. A few days ago, he spoke to the Boston Globe about a possible comeback this season.