Gordon Hayward is scoring the fewest points-per-game (9.8) since his rookie season and is shooting the lowest field goal percentage (39%) of his career so far this season. After suffering such a serious injury, and missing a full season, Pierce thinks Hayward just needs a bit more time to get reacclimated to the pace and intensity of NBA basketball.

If Hayward can get going, he may be the missing piece that can propel the Boston Celtics back up to the top of the Eastern Conference, where many expected them to be at this point in the season. Instead, the Celtics have struggled as has Hayward. As the season moves along, Pierce thinks Hayward will continue to improve, which should help the Celtics vault up the standings.

“It’s going to take mentally and physically, you know, getting his NBA legs under him to where he’s getting the rhythm, and the game slows down for him,” Pierce said. “Because we know this guy can play.