Boston Celtics: Gordon Hayward takes step forward against Sixers

The Boston Celtics needed a response against the Philadelphia 76ers and they got it Tuesday night led by Gordon Hayward.

Gordon Hayward has been both test and heavily criticized all season long in his first year as a member of the Boston Celtics.

However, in a big game Tuesday night against Philadelphia, Hayward showed glimpses yet again of what he can bring to the table for this Celtics team.

To say this been an odd season for Boston would be an understatement to say the very least. Almost nothing has go as anticipated. We’re in February now and the Celtics remain in a pretty complacent No. 5 slot in the Eastern Conference, a tier in which the green have barely escaped on rare occasion throughout the entire season.

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It seems as though the Celtics have made headlines for the wrong reasons whether it was for comments, uncharacteristic losses, or team chemistry. One topic that’s hit the talk of the town gossip this season is Gordon Hayward’s struggle to find his place with this Celtics team.

With Kyrie Irving out due to knee injury against a newly rejuvenated Philadelphia 76ers team who just acquired Tobias Harris prior to the trade deadline last week, Boston was tested Tuesday night. Despite the Sixers recent struggles against Brad Stevens and the Celtics, they remain among the top offensive threats in basketball.

In fact, the 76ers stand as the third top scoring offense in the NBA today with a 115.7 point average per game.  While the Celtics don’t even make the top 10 cut in basketball being 12th and putting up 112.9 per game. However despite the many struggles and moments of frustration that make you want to count this team out- they come back with games that make you buy in yet again. That was last night against the 76ers. Who stepped up and answered? None other than Gordon Hayward himself.

Last night against Philadelphia was another memorable night for Hayward in a Celtics uniform- finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 8/11 shooting from the field in 28 minutes played. Hayward was a +11 on the floor as the games leading scorer. He also matched a career-high with six three-point field goals made last night (6-7).

The second-half alone was Hayward’s time to shine in the city of brotherly love. Hayward shot 83 percent from the field (5-6) and 100 percent (3-3) from three in the 16:07 second-half minutes. Gordon finished with 17 point in the third and fourth quarters.

Hayward may have not been progressing at the speed anticipated and or wanted, however he has. It also adds fuel to the fire with Boston’s season-long struggles. In his last seven games Hayward has certainly taken a step forward, averaging 13.7 points on 55.4 percent shooting from the field, while going 11/19 from the three.

Last night was simply proof against the trade Gordon Hayward train which has been the tracks every step of the way through Boston’s struggles. Another example of what finding Hayward looks and allowing him to play his game can do for both the Celtics and Hayward’s progression along his comeback journey.

Boston takes the floor next against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night at 7:30 PM EST.