Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward has been listed as active to face the Miami Heat in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters early Saturday that he expects Hayward to play, but will make the call after Hayward goes into warm-ups.
“I expect it to be available, but it’s their call,” Stevens said.
If he plays, Stevens said Hayward will come off the bench and his minutes will be monitored.
Hayward has lost a month with a right ankle sprain, but has made progress towards returning on Saturday in recent days, with the Celtics trailing 2-0 in the best seven series.
The Celtics upgraded their position to a question mark for Game 3 on Friday.
Hayward has had an excellent season for Boston – averaging.5.5. points, 7. reb rebounds and 1.1 auxiliaries – and his return will deliver some much-needed firepower from the Boston bench. Hayward has shot 38% on 3 pointers and 50% off the floor this season.
Hayward, 30, suffered an ankle injury in Game 1 of Boston’s first-round series against Philadelphia on Aug. 17 and left for rehabilitation from the Disney Wide World Sports Campus before returning recently.
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