LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward limped off the court with a right ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, it appeared Boston's status as a credible championship contender was in danger.
The Celtics were written off by many in the wake of Hayward's injury. A team already heavily reliant on big minutes and production from five excellent perimeter players -- Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Hayward -- would be without one of those pillars until at least the Eastern Conference finals.