Gordon Hayward has been named the National Basketball Players Association's 2019 Comeback Player of the Year after returning from his traumatic season-ending injury in 2017-18. Hayward was still hot and cold throughout much of the 2018-19 season, but he managed to play in 72 games and averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, while playing 25.9 minutes a night.
A setback is just a setup for your next success. Presented by @HSpecialSurgery, congrats @Gordonhayward on this year's NBPA Comeback Player Award. --Art by Devon Rodriguez #NBPAPlayersVoice pic.twitter.com/f8sbMpGBwH
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) July 9, 2019
Additionally, Marcus Smart was one of 30 players in the NBA to receive an NBPA Backbone Award, which goes to the "glue guys" across the league.
They pick us up, push us forward and never let us down. Congrats to 2019's NBPA Backbone Award winners. --Art by @Ronenglishart #NBPAPlayersVoice pic.twitter.com/BrT68plVPo
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) July 9, 2019
