Celtics F Hayward set for preseason opener
Ex-Pacers coach McKinney dead
CHARLOTTE, Sept 26, (RTRS): The long-awaited return of AllStar Gordon Hayward is expected to occur Friday, when the Boston Celtics forward plans to play in the preseason opener on the road against the Charlotte Hornets.
According to multiple media outlets, Hayward is ready for his first game action since he dislocated his left ankle and fractured his left tibia in a gruesome ending to his Celtics debut during the 2017-18 season opener.
The 6-foot-8 Hayward, who played seven previous seasons with the Utah Jazz, recently said he’s “basically 100 percent”. On Tuesday, he told reporters that he has dunked off his left foot in practice.
Hayward
Jimmy Butler declined an invitation to reconsider his trade demand and opted to reiterate his position to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau met with Butler in Minneapolis following Butler’s physical on Monday, but overtures intended to coax Butler back to the team were rebuffed, according to multiple reports.
On Tuesday, Thibodeau said Minnesota plans to “honor his request” and is currently “seeing what is out there.”
Rajon Rondo will be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers when the regular season begins next month.
Head coach Luke Walton told ESPN that Rondo is ahead of Lonzo Ball, who is still recovering from offseason knee surgery, in the rotation until further notice. Ball was cleared to participate in workouts Tuesday. He is not yet cleared to scrimmage, Walton said.
Jack McKinney, who coached the Indiana Pacers for four seasons in the 1980s, died Tuesday at 83 years old, St Joseph’s University announced.
McKinney coached St Joseph’s from 1966-74 before joining the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach. After two seasons in Milwaukee, he spent three more with the Portland Trail Blazers from 1976-79 before being named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979.
During that season, McKinney suffered serious head injuries in a bicycle accident, which limited him to just 14 games. Paul Westhead replaced him, leading the Lakers to an NBA title.