Jan 23

DET114
ATL104
Final
PHX108
BKN84
Final
MIN115
DAL114
Final
CHA120
MEM132
Final
CLE108
HOU109
Final
MIL0
NOP0
Postponed
UTA114
OKC123
Final
GSW117
SAC123
Final
BOS117
LAC113
Final
SAS140
IND110
Final

Jan 24

BOS96
LAL117
Final
POR101
ORL79
Final
TOR122
ATL119
Final
DAL121
OKC115
Final
MIA96
MIL125
Final
SAC123
DEN132
Final
CHI106
GSW131
Final
WAS87
LAC107
In Progress

Jan 25

BOS31-13
DAL24-21
ABC @10:30 PM UTC
POR16-28
CHA11-29
FDCH @12:00 AM UTC
CLE36-7
PHI15-27
NBCSP @12:00 AM UTC
NOP12-32
MEM29-15
NBAt @1:00 AM UTC
IND24-20
SAS20-22
ESPN @5:00 PM UTC
DEN28-16
MIN23-21
ABC @8:00 PM UTC
MIA21-22
BKN14-31
SUN @11:00 PM UTC

Jan 26

NOP12-32
CHA11-29
FDCH @12:00 AM UTC
DET23-21
ORL23-23
FDFL @12:00 AM UTC
TOR12-32
ATL22-22
FDSE @12:30 AM UTC
HOU29-14
CLE36-7
SCHN @12:30 AM UTC
SAC23-21
NYK29-16
NBCSCA @12:30 AM UTC
PHI15-27
CHI19-26
NBCSP @1:00 AM UTC
UTA10-32
MEM29-15
KJZZ @1:00 AM UTC
LAL23-18
GSW22-22
ABC @1:30 AM UTC
WAS6-36
PHX22-21
KTVK @2:00 AM UTC
MIL25-17
LAC24-19
FDWI @3:30 AM UTC
OKC36-8
POR16-28
KUNP @11:00 PM UTC

Gordon Hayward opens up on mental health counseling amid resurgent performance

Share

Gordon Hayward's first season with the Boston Celtics ended just minutes into the first game of the year when Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle injury. The ankle injury completely derailed the start of his career in Boston.

As Hayward came back for his second season with the Celtics, he dealt with hurdles both mentally and physically. While the physical hurdles got more attention while he was out last year, the mental aspect of his game has gotten more attention this year. And Hayward has put in work there to help himself recover.

Hayward recently told Brian Robb of the Boston Sports Journal that he has been working with a mental health counselor and that it's helped him to push through the challenges that returning from the injury has given him.

“The whole thing was just a lot,” he admitted. “Everything that I was dealing with. It’s good to be able to talk somebody and have it not necessarily be friends or family — be kind of like a third party person and unbiased, just to hash things out. It was all a lot.”

Evidently, working with the counselor has helped Hayward. While that's excellent news for him in general, the work he has put in off the court is starting to manifest on the court. After a slow start to the season, Hayward is really starting to get into a rhythm ahead of the Celtics' playoff run.

Over the past six games, Hayward is averaging 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3 assists while converting on 52.2% of his shots. Hayward has looked more aggressive and comfortable on the floor, and it's possible that his change in playing style could stem from the work he has done off the court both physically and mentally. Either way, he's rounding into form at the right time.

It's notable that the Celtics are undefeated when Hayward logs 20 or more points. So, if he continues to play well on offense and put his injury further into the rearview mirror, the team could make some noise in the playoffs.

Boston Celtics

Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.

Celtics-Lakers recap: C's supporting cast struggles in blowout loss

Jayson Tatum named All-Star starter for fifth consecutive season

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.

Contact Us