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The Celtics are back at full form this season, and 2017-2018’s expectations may finally come to fruition. However, last year’s high-profile trade Gordon Hayward made maybe less of an immediate impact than expected heading into opening night, putting up only four points by halftime in his first full game as a Celtic.
In a conversation with NBA on TNT’s Ros Gold-Onwude, Hayward revealed that his left ankle still isn’t quite what it used to be, and he still ‘feels’ it when jumping solely from his left leg.
“Gordon has visualized this very moment.”
@ROSGO21 checks in from Boston with how Gordon Hayward has prepared to make his return
Working on his mental game seems essential after suffering what have undoubtedly been huge psychological hurdles after last year’s injury, and the fact that his ankle still doesn’t quite feel the same probably doesn’t help.
Mental Rehab
Gold-Onwude reported that Hayward has been working on visualizing, with the help of a sports psychologist, what this first night back on the court would feel like. He visualized what it would feel like to walk back on that court for the first time, and mentally practiced the basics of his game: his shooting form, his footwork, and trusting that ankle. He also keeps a journal as a way of reflecting on his game, continuing the mental focus that will be crucial in returning to the game in a big way.
Hayward has been rehabbing consistently for a year now in preparation for tonight. But he’ll need to keep working on his mental fortitude in order to deliver what Boston fans may feel is long overdue.
Good to be Back
He may need to play carefully if he’s still feeling weakness in that left leg, but it bodes well that he ended the night with a solid 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in his 25 restricted minutes. The Celtics pulled away for a 105-87 victory against the 76ers, and for the first time in a year, Hayward escaped a game without injury.
In his post-game interview, Hayward thanked God, his family, and his teammates for sticking with him over the last year, saying he’ll lean on them again as challenges arise throughout the season.
“It was so good to be out there.”
@ROSGO21 chats with Gordon Hayward after the Celtics’ opening night win!
He also expressed an unfamiliarity with his minutes restriction, saying he’s never been under such restriction before. But ultimately he was satisfied with his game. Post-interview Hayward was radiating joy–he was just happy to be out there at all.
A Rough Start
If there’s anything anyone remembers about last season’s opening night, it might be Hayward’s gruesome ankle injury just minutes into his first game as a Celtic.
Gordon Hayward carted-off with a gruesome ankle injury
Between that, and a later injury to star point guard Kyrie Irving, a highly-anticipated 2017-2018 Celtic season became something entirely other than what was expected. Surprisingly, it ended up being no less exciting as a rag-tag group of players came together to fill the gaps and lead the team to a semifinal run.
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