Danny Ainge: Gordon Hayward Had Setback in Rehab for Leg Injury

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge revealed forward Gordon Hayward suffered a setback a month-and-a-half ago because he was pushing too hard in his rehabilitation. 

"We were progressing a little too fast, we thought," Ainge said on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich Show (h/t Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports).

Ainge also said Hayward has still not returned to the court, but the team is "excited about his progress." The 2017 All-Star selection is out for the season after suffering a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in the opening-night loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Ainge did not say what type of setback Hayward suffered. It's safe to say it was nothing too serious, though, as Celtics coach Brad Stevens offered an optimistic outlook earlier this month. 

"He's not playing this year," Stevens told reporters. "I don't know what else to say."

"Is he progressing? Yes. He did another AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) workout this morning. He's up to 60 percent of his weight on the AlterG. If you've ever run on the AlterG that feels like you're flying without your legs touching the ground. It's great."

Hayward has been far more optimistic about his potential return, consistently telling reporters he would not rule out playing again this season. Last week, just a week after Stevens ruled him out yet again, Hayward said he could play.

"The hope is still there," Hayward told reporters. "It's something where I'm really honestly not even thinking about it. I know we're getting toward the end of the year. It's something that I'm still working toward, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."

Hayward signed a four-year max contract with the Celtics last offseason after spending his first seven seasons with the Utah Jazz. The move reunited him with Stevens, who coached him at Butler.