While there has been increasing speculation that Gordon Hayward may return from his ankle injury this season, it has not been discussed between Hayward and Brad Stevens.

Hayward suffered his lower leg injury on opening night and subsequently underwent major surgery.

“My mindset is he’s not coming back," said Stevens. "That’s the way we’ve approached it. Gordon and I have never had a conversation about him coming back.”

The Celtics were granted an injured player exception for Hayward, which means a doctor ruled Hayward is unlikely to return this season.