Gordon Hayward unlikely to play Friday vs. Jazz [UPDATE]

UPDATE: March 5, 12:48 p.m. — Hayward is unlikely to play in Friday’s game vs. the Utah Jazz. Hayward was held out of Wednesday’s win over the Cavaliers due to the knee injury he suffered on Tuesday night.

The Celtics were also without Jaylen Brown (hamstring) and Kemba Walker (knee). With Hayward out again, the Celtics may be in a bit more trouble against a tough Jazz team. Brown isn’t expected to play and Walker could return. If Walker gets back and isn’t limited like Tuesday, he’d be in line for plenty of usage with only Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart as healthy regulars.

Boston Celtics F Gordon Hayward left Tuesday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets early and did not return due to a knee contusion.

Hayward finished with seven points on 3-8 shooting from the floor in 17 minutes. The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum (illness) and are dealing with a few other injuries. Kemba Walker (knee) returned to the lineup vs. the Nets, but is expected to miss Wednesday’s game vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hayward will likely be questionable for that game as well, though we’ll see what the Celtics say.

If the Celtics are without Walker and Hayward, and Tatum returns, then the now 22-year-old would be a decent play in DFS assuming he isn’t going to be limited at all. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart would also need to step things up, especially coming off a rough home loss to a weaker team. Brad Wanamaker played 29 minutes on Tuesday and could see more run with Walker out again. It’s tough to trust any of the Celtics’ bench players in fantasy, though, since none of them offer much of a ceiling.