Ainge: Gordon Hayward suffered a setback during ankle rehab last month

The Celtics were never publicly optimistic about Gordon Hayward's chances of returning to the floor all season, but they never closed the door on the possibility either, up until last weekend that is.

Speaking before a game in Houston, Brad Stevens was more definitive than ever before about Hayward's return timetable from his ankle and leg injuries.

“He’s not playing this year. I don’t know what else to say,” said Stevens.

In his weekly interview with Toucher and Rich on Thursday, Danny Ainge revealed why the tone turned more pessimistic publicly.

"Gordon is progressing in his rehab. He's doing great," Ainge explained. "He's had like one setback for a couple of weeks, maybe a month and a half ago. Just we were progressing a little bit too fast, we thought. But other than that, his work ethic and his determination have been amazing."

Ainge also did his best to temper expectations about a surprise return this year.  

"I don't want to get people's hopes up," Ainge said. "He still is not back on the basketball court, and we have a month left in the regular season. So he's got a ways to go, but we're excited about his progress and his determination."

Hayward said last week that he still hasn't given up on returning to the floor this year, but realizes that time is running out.

"The hope is still there. It's something where I'm really honestly not even thinking about it. I know we're getting towards the end of the year. So it's something I'm still working for but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."