HOUSTON -- The Celtics have done a good job of removing any pressure from Gordon Hayward for a return this season. They've also worded their responses in a manner that didn’t close the door entirely to the possibility.
But Brad Stevens took a giant step beyond "we're not expecting him back" at this morning's shootaround in preparation for tonight's duel with the Rockets here.
Hayward fractured his left ankle on opening night and has been going through rehab at the Celts' practice facility and other sites. On Friday, he teased an upcoming Players' Tribune update with a video and the tweet, "Patience.