Celtics´Gordon Hayward ´feels good´, scores 14 in return

Celtics forward Gordon Hayward started Monday night versus the Cleveland Cavaliers and scored 14 points, returning to the Boston lineup ahead of schedule in his return from a broken hand.

Hayward received a loud ovation when he was introduced and got his first basket on a fast-break layup nearly halfway into the opening quarter. He also grabbed his first rebound and had his initial assist on Jayson Tatum’s 3-pointer from the left wing in the first 4 1/2 minutes of action.

Hayward ended with five rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes as Boston defeated the struggling Cavaliers 110-88.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said during his pregame media session that Hayward wasn’t on any minutes restriction but expects him to need time to build up his stamina.

”There’s no set time. But any time you’re coming back not having played an NBA game for four weeks, you just manage it appropriately,” Stevens said. ”He’s done a good job of staying in shape and he’s worked hard at that. But it will hit him early.”

Stevens figured his star forward will fit right into his old role with his teammates.

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”One thing that Gordon is, is he’s easy to play with,” the coach said. ”He’s going to make the right play. He’ll be another threat on the court. We’ll be able to play through him some with both groups and he’ll be able to play off the ball. He should be able to complement those guys well.”

After the team’s morning shootaround, Stevens had said Hayward was able to participate fully in the practice and would go through the pregame walkthrough ”with the intention of playing.”

About two hours before tipoff, the team announced that he would be available. Hayward missed all but five minutes of the 2017-18 season with a broken leg.

He had finally returned to his pre-injury form, averaging 19 points, four assists and a career-high seven rebounds this year before breaking the hand.

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