The Boston Celtics will have to rely on their depth to overcome the loss of Gordon Hayward.
The veteran forward suffered a fractured left hand in Saturday night's road win against the San Antonio Spurs. He broke the hand in a collision with Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge during the second quarter.
Hayward had surgery on his hand Monday, the Celtics announced. He is expected to be back on the court in six weeks.
Hayward was playing very well to begin the 2019-20 season. He's averaging 18.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, while shooting 43.3 percent from 3-point range in 31.1 minutes per game.
Two notable players who must step up and fill the void created by Hayward's absence are Jaylen Brown and Javonte Green.
Brown scored a season-high 30 points against the Spurs, and he's averaging 18.8 points and shooting 52.2 percent from the field in five games this season. Green is a very athletic swingman who can play shooting guard or small forward at both ends of the court. He's effective in transition as well. Green scored six points on 3-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes off Boston's bench in the win over San Antonio. He scored 12 points in 13 minutes in a victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.
The Celtics resume their schedule Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden.
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