Hayward to start bubble re-entry process, won't play 'anytime soon'

Boston Celtics veteran forward Gordon Hayward will begin his four-day quarantine to re-enter the NBA's campus in Orlando on Sunday, the team announced. However, coach Brad Stevens does not expect Hayward to play "anytime soon."

Hayward suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain during Game 1 of the Celtics' first-round series versus the Philadelphia 76ers on Aug. 17. The 30-year-old left the Disney World bubble on Aug. 23 to briefly rejoin his family with an expected recovery timeline of four weeks.

In his most successful season in Boston to date, the former All-Star averaged 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game with 38.3% shooting on 3-point attempts.

The Celtics currently boast a 2-1 series lead over the reigning-champion Toronto Raptors heading into Saturday's Game 4. Should their Eastern Conference semifinals series go the distance, Game 7 is slated for Friday - meaning that Hayward likely won't return to action until the Eastern Conference finals at the earliest.