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Danny Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub Thursday morning that Gordon Hayward suffered a setback during his left ankle rehab about a month and a half ago.
In an interview this morning on @985TheSportsHub Danny Ainge said Gordon Hayward had a setback in his rehab about a month or so ago. Hayward was pushing "too hard in his rehab but the team is excited about his progress". That is what changed the message around his return to play.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 15, 2018
There were conflicting statements regarding Hayward’s potential return before this. Brad Stevens has been consistent in shutting down the possibility of Hayward playing this season, while Ainge has left his answers open to interpretation and change. This at least gets everyone on the same page that Hayward is not going to return this season after suffering a gruesome left leg injury on opening night.
Ainge also talked about Marcus Smart, who suffered a thumb injury this past Sunday that could potentially end his season.
Danny Ainge told @985TheSportsHub Marcus Smart is in New York today meeting with a hand specialist. He'll miss at least a week and still may need surgery. "I think there's a chance he plays and a chance he's done. We're all waiting to figure out what that's gonna be." #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) March 15, 2018
There was also a report from A. Sherrod Blakely that Smart is trying to see if it’s possible to play with injury and not cause further damage to his thumb. Smart is getting a second opinion today so we will update that information when it becomes available.