CELTICS JOURNAL: Hayward’s return would be a boost for Boston

Nearly five weeks after injuring his right ankle, the Celtics were hoping to have Gordon Hayward back on the active roster Saturday night.

A decision on the status of Hayward, who missed 12 playoff games after getting hurt on Aug. 17, was going to be made after he warmed up prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat.

"He’ll warm up and we’ll see,’’ said coach Brad Stevens about 90 [...]

Nearly five weeks after injuring his right ankle, the Celtics were hoping to have Gordon Hayward back on the active roster Saturday night.

A decision on the status of Hayward, who missed 12 playoff games after getting hurt on Aug. 17, was going to be made after he warmed up prior to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat.

"He’ll warm up and we’ll see,’’ said coach Brad Stevens about 90 minutes before tip-off. "He just tells us how he feels. He’s played three-on-three the last couple of days and I would anticipate he’ll be available, but it’s going to be his call and that’s really based on how he feels.’’

The 30-year-old forward was injured in the closing minutes of Game 1 in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers when he stepped on the foot of teammate Daniel Theis while going for a rebound.

Hayward was diagnosed with a sprained ankle that included a torn ligament and was supposed to miss a minimum of four weeks.

Stevens said that if Hayward is able to play, he would come off the bench and his minutes would be monitored.

The Celtics, who lost the first two games after holding 14- and 17-point leads over the Heat, could use the versatile Hayward at the offensive end where they have been stymied by a zone at times.

Asked what Hayward would add, Stevens said, "Everything that you’ve seen all year. He’s a great passer, can score the ball, he can switch all the different positions. He gives us a lot of defensive flexibility there.

"He just gives us a lot and I think he’s always been a guy who provides a great sense of stability. Obviously, he’s coming back from a (nearly five-week) break so we don’t expect him to be a world beater, but I think his presence helps us.’’

Hayward left the Disney World bubble to be with his family in Indianapolis after being hurt, returning to Florida two weeks ago Sunday, and after quarantining, he was able to do some work on the court before games and after practices.

Hayward had a solid regular season, averaging 17.5 points on 50 percent shooting with 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He missed 13 games in November and December after fracturing a hand in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Hayward played two games against the Heat this season, getting 29 points on 10-for-14 shooting with nine rebounds on Jan. 28 and 15 points and seven rebounds on Aug. 4.

The Celtics went 7-5 in the playoffs without Hayward, who had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the postseason opener against the 76ers.

Langford is out

Rookie Romeo Langford, who has dealt with injuries throughout the season, was not on the active roster due to a strained right adductor suffered in Game 2 against the Heat.

Langford was hurt on defense while playing only 1:21 of the first quarter.

Langford, 20, had played only seven minutes in the second-round series against the Toronto Raptors, going 3:44 in Game 1 and 3:28 in Game 5. After being a DNP in the opener against the Heat, Langford was sent into the Game 2 with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter.

Langford, the No. 14 pick in 2019, missed the Celtics’ summer league games due to thumb surgery from a college injury and he also dealt with a sprained ankle, a sore knee and an illness during the season.

In the final regular-season game on Aug. 13, Langford, who played 30 minutes, tore ligaments in his right wrist against the Washington Wizards and will likely need surgery.

The played drafted one spot ahead of Langford at No. 13, Tyler Herro, was a key factor in the Heat opening a 2-0 series lead.

Been there before

Six players from each team had experience in the conference finals prior to this season.

Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart are in the finals for the third time each for the Celtics while Tatum, Theis and Semi Ojeleye are in their second conference final. Enes Kanter played in the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 and the Portland Trail Blazers last season.

For the Heat, Andre Iguodola played in the Western Conference finals five times with the Warriors, winning every time, while little-used Udonis Haslem played for the Heat in the conference finals in 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012 (against the Celtics), 2013 and 2014.

Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk were with the Celtics in 2017 when they played the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals. Goran Dragic was on the Phoenix Suns when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 10 years ago and Meyers Leonard lost to the Warriors with the Trail Blazers last year.

jfenton@enterprisenews.com

On Twitter at @JFenton_ent