Hayward won't rule out return for Celtics

Gordon Hayward was supposed to a key component in the Boston Celtics' success this season before a gruesome opening night ankle injury ended his year.

Or did it?

Coach Brad Stevens continued to adamantly rule out the 27-year-old small forward's return earlier this week, but Hayward seems to have an open mind.

Speaking at a gym unveiling at a Boston-area middle school, Hayward sounded optimistic about his progress.

"My thoughts are that I take it day by day. And I said that from the very beginning, that's what I would do, not putting a timetable on it," Hayward said, per ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "The recovery is going well. I'm progressing well. I was in the facility this morning, will be in the facility tomorrow. And that's kinda my goal -- just really focusing day by day."

"It's something where I'm really honestly not even thinking about it. I know we're getting toward the end of the year. It's something that I'm still working toward, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."

Hayward said he's been running on an anti-gravity treadmill at 70 percent of his body weight and expects to transition to his full body weight after he moves up to 80 percent.

Hayward, who suffered the injury just five minutes into his debut with the Celtics, was the 9th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft.

He spent seven years with the Jazz, averaging 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists, before signing a 4-year, $128 million deal with Boston.

--Field Level Media