The reeling Celtics are eager to welcome back Gordon Hayward in the Eastern Conference Finals. Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Could Gordon Hayward return for Celtics in Game 3 vs. Heat?

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/18/20

Gordon Hayward hasn't played for the Boston Celtics since the first game of their first-round matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. With Boston down two games in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, we may see Hayward return to action earlier than Brad Stevens intended.

According to The Athletic's Jared Weiss, Hayward is progressing toward a Game 3 return after a positive workout on Wednesday.

Gordon Hayward is progressing toward returning for Game 3 of Celtics-Heat after feeling good in Wednesday’s post-practice workout, a source with knowledge of the situation told @TheAthleticNBA. He expects to get more on-court work Friday with the hope of playing Saturday.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 18, 2020

Hayward suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain during Game 1 of Boston's first-round series against Philadelphia and hasn't played since.

Without Hayward in their lineup, the Celtics managed to sweep the 76ers and also defeat the defending champion Toronto Raptors in seven games in the second round.

Getting Hayward back certainly will be a boost for a Celtics lineup that struggled against Toronto at times and now is struggling against Miami. Before being injured in Game 1 against the 76ers, Hayward notched 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in just over 34 minutes played.

Hayward had his best regular season this year since joining the Celtics, averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 50 % from the field and 38.3 % from beyond the arc.

More must-reads: