NBA: Stevens on Hayward:”He’s not playing this year.”

On Friday, Gordon Hayward had released a workout video via Players’ Tribune, which further fuelled speculation that he could play for the Boston Celtics this season. But Brad Stevens denied that more than ever before on Saturday.

“He’s not playing this year. I don’t know what else to say,”said Stevens, who had been getting more and more questions about the topic in recent weeks, especially since Celtics had never explicitly ruled out a Hayward comeback.

Hayward broke his ankle on the first matchday of the season, and Celtics had repeatedly emphasised in the last few weeks that his rehab was positive. Although they never said they were expecting a comeback this season, they never really ruled it out – at least until Saturday.

“Did he dunk?”asked Stevens about the workout video.”He’s making progress, all right. That’s terrific. And I also think these videos are great. It shows the progress and sometimes, when you are in the middle of such a long process, it feels good to see the results. But he’s still a hell of a long way from ever getting 1-on-0 workouts where he’s really pulling.”

One of the journalists present at the shootaround asked Stevens jokingly if there would be a new update on Sunday. He joined the game:”Yes, ask me again tomorrow. On Monday, he’ll probably be questionable.”

Celtics are currently in second place at the Eastern Conference. Hayward had signed a four-year contract in Boston this summer for $127.8 million before he injured himself against the Cavaliers in their first game of the year.