Boston Celtics: Grading each player’s first half performance

Gordon Hayward

Grade: B+

Gordon Hayward got off to a piping hot start to the season before breaking his hand. He eased back into it after his return and has once again raised his level of play as of late. More importantly, Hayward has looked healthy and has played with aggression this season. His ability to finish at the rim has been night and day, in large part due to his growing confidence he’s built back with his leg.

Hayward is averaging 17.3 points per game on 50.4 percent shooting. He’s also shooting 39.2 percent from three and 88 percent from the line. Two seasons removed from his devastating injury, he’s almost shooting at 50-40-90 club level splits.

While Tatum has become the secondary ball-handler behind Walker, Hayward’s playmaking ability will be an important piece to the Boston Celtics’ chances come playoff time. He has underrated court vision and has been impressive as the primary creator when Walker has been sidelined with injuries. Going into the second half of this season, I’d like to see Hayward become more consistent.

Some games he’s a focal point, while others he disappears. This may just come with being the 4th option on the offensive end, but I’d like to see the offense run through him more often. It’s a good change of pace and his court vision benefits a lot of guys into getting good looks.