Celtics Fans Should Still Expect Gordon Hayward to Return Around Christmas

With the Bucks and 76ers being the talk of the Eastern Conference, many are overlooking the Boston Celtics.

After coming off a disappointing year surrounded by turmoil, the C's have bounced back in a big way in the early going thanks to their chemistry and the moves made by Danny Ainge in the offseason.

In fact, the Celtics are currently 14-5, and this is with star small forward Gordon Hayward missing the last 11 games due to a fractured hand.

While Hayward was seemingly progressing quickly in his recovery from the injury, Celtics fans shouldn't expect him to return before Christmas, which was the original timetable.

The Celtics veteran was in the middle of a comeback season, averaging 19 points on 55% shooting after getting back on his feet for much of last year because of his horrific ankle injury suffered on opening night in 2017.

Hayward rejoining this Boston roster is scary for the rest of the league, as their offense goes from being very formidable to possibly one of the best in the basketball when he's firing on all cylinders. Combine that with their elite defense, and the Celtics absolutely have the pieces to make a title run.