NBA: Hayward before return: “I’m at 100 percent”

A good eleven months have passed since Gordon Hayward suffered a serious ankle injury in his first game in the Boston Celtics jersey. According to its own statement, the forward is now completely fit again.

“I’d say I’m basically at 100 percent,” Hayward told journalists at the Auerbach Center, the Celtics’ brand new training hall. “There are certain things that still need a little more time – even if I am 100 percent fit. “Basketball’s not 100% yet, just because I haven’t played in a year.”

He still lacks a little explosiveness, but otherwise he feels very good, Hayward said. In October last year he broke his left ankle in an alley-op attempt and then missed the entire season.

In the summer, the 28-year-old posted on the social networks from time to time, which showed him during his hard work on his comeback. Meanwhile Hayward has even taken part in five-on-five matches in practice again.

“It’s so much fun playing with my teammates again,” the forward explained. In the 2016/17 season Hayward, at that time still for Utah Jazz, had an average of 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. He wants to pick up on these figures again in Boston.