Gordon Hayward upgraded to questionable for Game 3

Saturday’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals is a must-win for the Boston Celtics and they might have Gordon Hayward back on the court for it.

On Friday, the Celtics made it seem that there is a chance Hayward suits up for the contest as Hayward was upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report. Hayward has been out since sustaining a Grade 3 right ankle sprain in Boston’s first playoff game inside the bubble back on Aug. 17.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that part of the talk Celtics coach Brad Stevens had with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker around 1 a.m. Friday morning in the team’s hotel room following Boston’s deflating Game 2 loss and the infighting that took place in the locker room after, dealt with easing Hayward’s transition back onto the floor. Wojnarowski wrote that the Celtics “are hopeful that (Hayward) could play a role off the bench in Game 3.”

Hayward’s presence, even in a limited role, would be a welcomed sight with the Celtics sputtering and looking up at a 2-0 series deficit to the Miami Heat.

Also on the Celtics injury report, Javonte Green was listed as probable after recovering from right knee surgery and rookie Romeo Langford, who suffered a right abductor strain, has been ruled out.