Fansided

Gordon Hayward is dunking basketballs again

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics speaks to crowd during game against the Washington Wizards on December 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 25: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics speaks to crowd during game against the Washington Wizards on December 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Gordon Hayward provides fans with an update with how he’s recovering from fracturing his ankle on opening night.

Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward is slowly but surely on his way to recovery. In a new update provided by Boston.com’s Nicole Yang, Hayward let fans know that he’s now dunking the basketball off his left foot.

"“I dunked the basketball for the first time off my left foot — without pain — last week,” he said. “That felt awesome. I went into it very soft and gingerly, and after I did it, I was like, ‘OK, that didn’t hurt it all.’ I did it again, and it felt good.”"

Opening night turned into a nightmare for Hayward and the Celtics when the starting forward fractured his ankle less than six minutes into the game. Hayward was going up to receive a pass when his arm tangled with the arm of LeBron James. An awkward landing saw Hayward’s foot go one way and his leg go the other.

The goal for Hayward is to play five-on-five sometime in August. As of now, he’s able to do straight line sprints and some lateral movements. Hayward admitted that he’s still nervous when trying something new when testing his ankle.

"“Leading up to doing something new, I think I’m anxious and nervous a little bit, and, subconsciously, I think a little scared,” he said. “A lot of times when I do something new, I think I like to just protect [my ankle], and I don’t go as hard as I probably could. After I do something a couple times, my brain and my body kind of tells me, ‘OK, it’s fine. You can do this again.’ The bone is strong, everything is strong, and then it takes a little bit, but then it’s kind of normal.”"

The 28-year-old underwent an unexpected second surgery on the ankle in May, which Hayward called, “A good thing.”

Boston rallied without Hayward last season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference and making it to the Conference Finals without the All-Star small forward and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. The re-addition of both players will make a young Celtics squad all the more dangerous. Hayward stated that he expects to be an improved shooter upon returning.

"“I spent so many days just shooting out of a chair, or so many days standing and shooting or doing mini-jumping and shooting because that’s all I could do. I do think my shot’s got a little bit quicker. There will still be a little bit of the transition period for me, as I go from doing drills that are rehearsed to playing live. That’s just like a timing thing. I just have to play again for a little bit, but I really do think my shot has improved.”"

He shot 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3 in 2016-17. If he’s truly improved his shot, Boston won’t be fair this season. Hayward is expected to be ready by the start of training camp.

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While it’s assumed he’ll be the starter coming into camp, the Celtics do have some lineup issues to sort out. The emergence of Jayson Tatum could put Hayward on the bench, at least until he’s comfortable logging bigger minutes. The Celtics could play smaller, starting Hayward and Tatum beside each other at the three and four.

These are all good problems for Brad Stevens to have.

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