Paul George says Gordon Hayward ‘knows I got his back’
As a player who suffered a similar injury, Paul George has showed compassion and excitement for Gordon Hayward’s progress. Hayward is ruled out for the season but is optimistic about playing this year.
Paul George suffered a traumatic leg injury while competing for a roster spot for the United States National team in August 2014. So, he fully understands the pain that Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is going through. Hayward suffered a gruesome left ankle injury on the NBA’s opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has ruled him out for the remainder of the year. George has been a constant presence in his corner, constantly communicating with Hayward in the process, according to ESPN.
"“I’ve been in touch with him, texting and kind of been watching him from afar, how he’s been progressing,” said George after the Thunder’s 100-99 loss to the Celtics Tuesday night. “Early on, I was around him more so, sending him messages and talking to him. At this point, it looks like he’s doing really well, just watching him on the court. Now he’s shooting, doing a little bit on-court stuff.I think at this point, he don’t need me to give him encouraging words. He knows I’ve got his back.”"
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Although Hayward is scheduled to return next season, he hasn’t ruled out an attempt to play again this year. It would be compelling to witness the Kyrie Irving-Gordon Hayward dynamic in Brad Stevens offense. So far, Stevens philosophy on both ends of the floor has parlayed the Celtics to a 48-23 record while obtaining the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Stevens’ system was made to survive, so one could wonder what would happen with a healthy team in tow. Even if Hayward doesn’t come back for the playoffs, the Celtics were made for these times.