At this time last season, Celtics coach Brad Stevens was preparing for an Eastern Conference finals matchup against the Cavaliers. Now, he is doing it again, but one thing is quite different: Kyrie Irving is on his team now.

Even though Irving is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery last month, his absence from the other sideline will make life a bit easier for the Celtics.

“Obviously last year with Kyrie, a lot of times LeBron [James] would play where [Irving] would be a spacer,’’ Stevens said, “and Kyrie really hurt us in Games 3, 4, and 5. But they just figured out a way to play without him.

“He was obviously incredibly difficult for us to guard last year and we wish he was playing [for us now]. But at the same time this team has figured out how to be the best version of themselves without him and LeBron’s taken even more of a role. There’s more usage, there’s more — his shooting has been incredible.’’

Added guard Marcus Smart: “That’s one less guy that can create his own shot and really put pressure on our defense in that guard position. Not saying those other guys can’t do it, but with Kyrie, there’s a different mentality and intensity when he plays.’’

Stevens spent part of Thursday meeting with Irving about the Cavaliers. Of course, it will probably be difficult for him to watch such a marquee matchup against his former team, but Stevens said he is handling the situation well.

“He’s good at focusing on what he can control, and there’s nothing he can do about missing it,’’ Stevens said. “It’s a unique set of circumstances. He had an infection and had to have those wires and screws removed. It’s unfortunate. He was down, I think, initially. I think his spirits look better every single day. It’s great to have him around here. So I feel good about it.’’

Scouting report

The Celtics will be looking for ways to slow James in this series, and that is easier said than done. But while watching film of Cleveland’s conference semifinal sweep of the top-seeded Raptors, forward Marcus Morris started to understand why the Cavs mostly had their way against Toronto.

“I think in the Toronto series, no disrespect to them, but watching film, it just looked very easy at times,’’ Morris said. “[James] looked very confident. He was getting to different places on the court, and there was no help.

“I didn’t see no physicality, I didn’t see any of that. I think that’s something different that we will bring to the table.

Special guest

Celtics forward Gordon Hayward, who is out for the season with an ankle injury, has been working with a running specialist in Indianapolis in recent weeks. But Stevens said that Hayward returned to Boston this weekend and will attend Sunday’s Game 1. He was even able to take part in a bit of the team’s on-court walkthrough on Saturday afternoon.

“Got to be a part of the walkthrough, which was fun, just to have him back out here,’’ Stevens said. “He’s getting better, too.’’

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach @globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.