Gordon Hayward recovery videos circulate the internet at a rate that mirrors the hype for his first Celtics debut. The NBA officially announced that that will occur on Oct. 16 against the 76ers, one day short of the one-year anniversary of Hayward’s actual first game in green that lasted only six minutes.
The scene at TD Garden for Hayward’s first minutes at home will likely elicit nervous chills in the wake of Kevin Harlan’s call of “Hayward has broken his leg” last year, but after those jitters subside, the integration of Hayward into Brad Stevens’ plans figures to progress slowly.