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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward suffers fractured left ankle in season opener

CLEVELAND – Boston forward Gordon Hayward sustained a fractured left ankle on an alley-oop attempt in the first quarter of Tuesday's NBA season opener in Cleveland, which was also his Celtics debut.  

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics is sits on the floor after being injured while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.

After the game, a 102-99 Cavs win, Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirmed Hayward suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured tibia. He was headed back to Boston Tuesday night and then going straight to the hospital. 

The horrific injury, which occurred at the 6:45 mark of the first quarter, looked severe with Hayward’s leg and ankle turned in an unnatural position. Hayward’s leg was immobilized, and he was carted off on a stretcher.

Players immediately called for medical attention once they saw Hayward’s leg.

Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million contract in the summer and joined his former college coach Brad Stevens in Boston, had two points before the injury.

"You hurt for him," Stevens said of Hayward, his former star at Butler. "It's a tough, tough deal, but I guess that's part of the risk of injury. I really feel for him."

Celtics players huddled on the sidelines, and concerned silence filled Quicken Loans Arena.

Cleveland’s LeBron James pulled his jersey over his face when he saw Hayward’s leg and shook Hayward’s hand as medics wheeled the Celtics star off the court.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon's family. Hope for a speedy recovery, a healthy recovery," James said. "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."

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The injury is devastating for the Celtics, who signed Hayward and acquired Kyrie Irving to challenge the Cavaliers and win the Eastern Conference championship.

With the Utah Jazz last season, Hayward averaged a career-high in points (21.9) and shot 47.1% from the field. He also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and shot 39.8% on three-pointers and made his first All-Star team.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter

Contributing: The Associated Press

 

 

 

 

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