Gordon Hayward Injury: Updates on Jazz Swingman's Hip and Return

Updates from Tuesday, Jan. 21

Jody Genessy of the Desert News has some good news to report on Gordon Heyward's status:

"

Shooting guard Gordon Hayward expects to play tonight at EnergySolutions Arena after missing the past five games with a left hip flexor.

“I’m going to go out and play like I normally do,” Hayward said after going through a pain-free shootaround. “I’m excited to get back out there. It was tough to sit behind the bench. I’m ready to get out there and get going.”

"

Updates from Friday, Jan. 17

Deseret News reporter Jody Genessy reports that Hayward is out Friday night: 

"

Gordon Hayward officially out.

— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) January 17, 2014"

Updates from Wednesday, Jan. 15

According to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News, Gordon Hayward is doubtful for tonight's game against San Antonio:

---Original Text---

If the Utah Jazz want to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, they'll have to do so without the services of their leading scorer. The team announced that Gordon Hayward is out with a strain in his left hip flexor.

It's serious enough that there's already a doubt as to whether he'll be ready for the Jazz's Monday night game against the Denver Nuggets.

Hayward comes into Friday night leading Utah in scoring (17.1 points a game) and is second on the team in assists per game (4.9). After three solid, yet unspectacular, years with the team, the former Butler star is having a strong season. He's taken advantage of the team's rebuild to post career highs in nearly every major statistical category.

Needless to say, he'll be missed by the Jazz. Although Utah's focus is squarely on the future, it's important that Hayward can return to the court as quickly as possible, so the franchise doesn't continue being anchored at the bottom of the Western Conference.