In early March, the Boston Celtics were cooking. After a well-fêted flight to California, they went 3-1 on a trip through the Western Conference. Hayward looked solid. He went super efficient from the field against Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. He hit a game-winner to take down the frisky Sacramento Kings.
But Gordon Hayward was tired, not physically, but mentally. An inconsistent season was eating away at him. And the binary narrative—Is he finally back? Yes or no?—was taking its toll.
“The most frustrating part is that I’m constantly being asked if I’m ‘back.