Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Suffers Horrific Injury In Season Opener

Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward was stretchered off the court in the NBA season opener game after suffering a horrific leg and ankle injury on Tuesday night.

The game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was built-up for Kyrie Irving’s return to his former hunting grounds, got sidetracked just six minutes and 45 seconds into play when Hayward got injured.

Read Also: FIFA Rankings: Harambee Stars Drop to 102 In Latest Compilation

Hayward, who was also making his debut for his new team, landed awkwardly on his leg after trying to collect an alley-oop pass but collided with Cavs’ LeBron James in the process.

His injury was not obvious to players on the court as the game continued for a few seconds before it was stopped by the refs.

He put his hands to his face and dropped to the floor as a hush fell over the arena.

Gordon Hayward was immediately attended to by doctors as players kept their distance with either their hands in heads or on their knees praying for the 27-year-old.

His teammates, as well as opposing players, then checked on him as he was being stretchered from the court.

James, in particular, offered words of support to Hayward as the fans in Quicken Loans Arena gave him a standing ovation.

After the game, which the Cavs won 112-109, Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirmed that Hayward had dislocated his ankle and fractured his tibia.

“You hurt for him. He’s put in a lot of great work. And I thought he had his most comfortable week as far as feeling like he was going to play really well,” Stevens said.

“But now we’ll hopefully get a full recovery, right? And so it’s a tough deal, but I guess that’s part of it, the risk of injury. I really feel for him.”

James sent out prayers for Hayward saying:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon’s family. Hope for a speedy recovery, a healthy recovery.”

“Those are the injuries that you never see coming, you never want to happen, no matter who it is, no matter what the stature, no matter how much competitive nature that you have. It’s just very unfortunate.”

Read Also: NBA Star Quits To Care For Pregnant Wife With Brain Tumor

Other NBA stars have sent their support to the player.