Hayward: No reason to continue to sulk and wallow

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward said on Thursday that there's definitely no reason to continue to sulk and wallow in some self-pity after the ugly ankle injury sidelined him for the entire season.

Hayward fractured his ankle just five minutes into Boston's season opener last month against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA actions.

"You can't take it back, as much as I want to rewind it and go out the other way on the play. It's something that I'm going to have to deal with," said Hayward, who met media in a press conference for the first time after the surgery.

Hayward said it feels good to be back with his teammates after the gruesome ankle injury that's expected to sideline him for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

"It's going to be really important for me and my mental health to stay involved and still be a part of the team as much as I can," he said.

Hayward, who signed with Boston after seven seasons with the Utah Jazz, started coming to the Celtics' practice facility this week for rehab exercises. He also was on the court to take shots from a chair.

"Shooting out of a chair is a little bit different than shooting standing up," Hayward said. "But just to be out on the court with basketball, that was an incredible feeling.

"I do whatever I can with the basketball. That's what I love to do. That was fun. Looking forward to any chance to do that."

Without the All-Star player, the Celtics, who have won six straight games after an 0-2 start, are currently tied with the Orlando Magic for the best record in the NBA.