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Gordon Hayward: 3 Boston Celtics players who must rise in star’s absence

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 25: A detailed view of the 17 patch on the jersey of Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics representing their 17 titles in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on October 25, 2019 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. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 25: A detailed view of the 17 patch on the jersey of Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics representing their 17 titles in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on October 25, 2019 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. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The Boston Celtics are rolling and so was Gordon Hayward before a broken hand during Saturday night’s win over San Antonio fractured the star’s rise back to stardom.

Maybe Gordon Hayward is just unlucky now that he wears a Boston Celtics uniform.  Or perhaps it’s another one of those things that will put the team in a better position towards the end of the season and into the playoffs.

Whatever the case, the Celtics have to move forward after Hayward suffered another injury that should put him out for some time.

Though not as devastating as the traumatic lower leg injury has kept him out the entire 2018-18 NBA season, the broken left hand suffered by the star wing in the first half of the team’s 135-115 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, was still a damper.

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Up until that point, not only was Gordon Hayward playing great basketball, he was looking like the All-Star level player the Boston Celtics paid big bucks for.

While there is no exact timeline on his return, he shouldn’t miss the rest of the season and how quickly he recovers will depend on whether he decides to have surgery or not.

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens was asked about Hayward’s injury following the game.

"“Broken hand, no timeline, going to get with the doctors tomorrow and decide if he needs to do surgery or not,” Stevens told reporters, as transcribed by NESN.  “Sounds like should he decide (to get surgery), the surgery option might actually be a better timeline.  So we’ll see what that all plays out to be, who knows.  It’s too bad.”"

Stevens went on to estimate that Gordon Hayward will probably miss a few weeks or a month give or take.

In the meantime, the Boston Celtics will have to find a way to replace the 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game Hayward was averaging through the first seven games of the season.

No one player will replace those numbers, but here are three players who will get more of an opportunity in the absence of Gordon Hayward.

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