Gordon Hayward says he is managing back soreness that was getting "progressively worse" as the Boston Celtics forward prepared for the regular-season opener next week.
Hayward, who did not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers, told reporters Wednesday that his back has bothered him in the past but that he would typically recover quickly.
This time, the soreness lingered, Hayward said.
"That's what made me feel like I needed to dial it back a little bit," Hayward said.