Bucks react to Gordon Hayward injury ahead of opener vs. Celtics
Matt Velazquez
BOSTON - The Milwaukee Bucks landed in Boston on Tuesday with plenty of time to settle in before the tip-off of the NBA's first game between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Members of the Bucks sat down to watch the game together, taking advantage of the opportunity to watch their first two opponents go head-to-head.
Less than six minutes into the game, nearly everyone looked away. That's because Celtics forward Gordon Hayward — Boston's prized free-agent signing this summer — went up for an alley-oop and fell awkwardly, fracturing his left tibia in the process. The injury was both gruesome and immediately apparent.
“Just shock," Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon said Wednesday at shootaround when asked how he and his teammates reacted. "People just turned their heads from the TV. As a basketball player, you don’t want to see people even turn their ankles. You just turn your head and you pray for him and wish him the best.”
Milwaukee guard Jason Terry joined the dozens of NBA players who sent well-wishes Hayward's way in the immediate aftermath of the injury, offering his prayers via Twitter.
Hayward's leg was placed in an air cast and he was taken off the court on a stretcher amid applause from Cleveland's fans. The Cavaliers went on to win the game, 102-99.
The Celtics then returned home where the Bucks weree waiting. It was the Bucks' season opener and they began the game with a lineup of Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker.
That group of five — with an average age of 23 years old — was the team's starting unit in the playoffs last season. Head coach Jason Kidd hopes they can draw from that experience against the Toronto Raptors as they head into Wednesday's opener at the TD Garden.
“No matter what part of the season when you come to Boston the atmosphere is electric, they have great fans," Kidd said. "Everybody’s going to be emotional from what took place last night. Boston’s one of the cities — Boston Strong — they rally behind their teams, so we have to be prepared for that.”