Report: Hayward has ‘intention of playing’ vs Cavs; Smart, Rob Williams OUT

As Gordon Hayward is finally poised to return from hand injury, guard Marcus Smart and big man Robert Williams will sit against Cleveland.

It seems the wait is over for the return of Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward.

The team shared that the Butler product has practiced with the team at this morning’s shootaround, and intends to play according to head coach Brad Stevens.

Waylaid since a hand injury interrupted the Indiana native’s return to form on November 9th, Hayward seems finally ready to resume what looked to be the first season of play at the level Celtics fans hoped to see since the former Bulldog joined the team.

Teammate Marcus Smart, who has been battling an assortment of minor injuries and illness himself, will sit against the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.

The Flower Mound native is opting to get some rest as an eye infection introduces yet more maladies for the stalwart defender to recover from.

Second-year center Robert Williams III will also sit, nursing a sore left hip, according to the injury report, perhaps opening some minutes for French big man Vincent Poirier, who has recently played with the Red Claws in a hunt for repetitions to keep the rookie’s game sharp.

While the Cavs are one of the cagier teams occupying the depths of the East standings, this is a contest Boston should win handily at home.

It’s also a good chance for Smart in particular to steal a little rest ahead of an away-home back-to-back, as the team faces a resurgent Indiana Pacers followed by a shot at revenge for the season-opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.

After this, a five-day gap in the schedule would allow the Texan guard more time to heal, and a break for Hayward’s hand to recuperate from a gradual uptick in difficulty over the next three games.

The former All-Star has previously noted he expects to have to manage pain in the hand for much if not all of the remaining season.