If the Celtics are still in the playoffs come September, they will likely have to play without Gordon Hayward.
The forward said Friday he plans to leave the NBA’s bubble at Disney World for the birth of his fourth child, who is due in September.
“It’s a pretty easy decision for me on that,” Hayward told reporters Friday in a video call. “I’ve been at the birth of every one of my children and I think there are more important things in life. So we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
“I know the NBA has a protocol for that type of thing and hopefully I can do the quarantining and testing the appropriate amount of time and then be back with the boys.”
The NBA’s protocol for a player re-entering the bubble — because of “extenuating circumstances” — include at least four days of quarantining, followed by a COVID-19 test. If a player tests negative, he would be allowed back with his team.
The playoffs are currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 17. The Celtics will head to Orlando with the Eastern Conference’s third-best record, with Hayward averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Hayward is not the only player facing this kind of decision as sports try to resume in the coronavirus era, and not just in the NBA. Angels star Mike Trout also voiced his concern Friday about playing in MLB’s shortened season, with his wife expecting their first child in August. He said he needed to be there for the birth and would be playing things by ear.
While Hayward is in Orlando with the Celtics, he said his wife, Robyn, will leave Boston to be with family in Indianapolis.
“She’s definitely sad, for sure,” Hayward said. “She’s been stressing a little bit about this, and I can’t blame her for that. It’s definitely been a stressful time for us. But I think she’ll be happy if I go down there and play well and the Celtics play well. I know she will be.”