Gordon Hayward. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Celtics handed the Bucks their first lost last night, and Gordon Hayward was a big help with a season-high 18 points in his seventh game of the year.
The recovering swingman is averaging just over 11 points and five rebounds, and he's shooting about 43 percent from the field — 41 percent from three — in his 25 minutes per.
Hayward said he's getting more comfortable each game, and last night was another big step.
"Got off to a good start and that was important for me. It felt good being able to be out there at the end of the game too, " Hayward said. "It's an ongoing process and our last game wasn't that great. Tonight was a little bit better. So, I'll watch this one just like I watched the last one, try to improve on the things that I didn't do too well and keep doing the things I did."
At one point, Hayward went up for a block and landed hard on his surgically repaired left leg. He was sore, but said that's okay.
"Those are things I've got to get through. I have to be knocked down. I have to land on that one foot a little awkwardly just so I mentally know I can do it, but also physically too I can hold and be strong," Hayward said.
Coach Brad Stevens has enjoyed watching Hayward with the ball in his hands, and Al Horford said that comfort's helping.
"The process getting to play at the level you used to play at. And the more games that we can get him some looks like this and he can get himself going, and the better we'll be," Horford said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports