Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said the next month "will tell a lot" in the recovery process of injured star Gordon Hayward.

Hayward recently described in a blog post how he is ramping up his workouts. During a weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich, Ainge called the next month a "big time" in Hayward's rehab.

"He's been so restricted. He's been just biting at the bit to do more and more. And the doctors have been holding him back a little bit just to make sure everyrhing's all healed," Ainge said. "But now he's going to start running on the AlterG and that's a big step. And he's just taking more and more steps on the court as far as just getting full range of motion, toe lifts, and one step side to side, and things like that. But this next month will tell a lot."

The Celtics have been adamant they do not expect Hayward to return this season, but nobody has ruled out the possibility yet.

"He makes a lot of shots standing still," head coach Brad Stevens said last week. "I mean, a lot. Like, he's a heck of a standstill shooter now. And he's really good in a chair too. But nothing new. We don't anticipate him being back this season."