Hayward remains out with shoulder injury, Jazz won't rush him back

Gordon Hayward's value to the surging Utah Jazz was evident in the team's loss to the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. 

Hayward, who missed the game with a shoulder sprain, is out again Wednesday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Jazz head coach Quin Snyder stressed Wednesday morning that the team will continue to play cautiously with Hayward's health in the season's final weeks. 

"As you get to the end of as season, you would hate to sacrifice someone's offseason and their health for one win," Snyder said, according to Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune. "I think we're always aware of injury, but right now you want the offseason to be really productive and for us to get better in the offseason."

The 25-year-old swingman is enjoying a career year for the Jazz, averaging 19.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals and a true shooting percentage of 57.2.

Utah, having won 14 of 18 before back-to-back losses to the Golden State Warriors and Timberwolves, performs 7.7 points per 100 possessions better with Hayward on the court.