Gordon Hayward Injury Update: Player Misses Home Opener and Possibly Season 2017-18 Following Surgery
Gordon Hayward's injury and subsequent surgery has forced him to miss the Boston Celtics' home opener on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the player will likely spend the rest of the season recovering as well.
The 6-foot-8 forward suffered a dislocated ankle and a broken tibia during his first game wearing the Boston Celtics jersey on Tuesday. They lost against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-99.
Beyond the 5-minute mark of their game against the Cavaliers, Hayward went for an alley-oop pass and fell down badly after colliding with LeBron James. He immediately looked like he was in severe pain and was unable to get back up. After medical personnel checked the player, Hayward was brought out of the court on a stretcher.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Hayward was scheduled for a surgery the following night, and agent Mark Bartelstein reportedly told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the player was unlikely to play for the rest of the season after the medical procedure.
Though Hayward missed the home opener at the TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, he was still properly introduced to the local fans along with the starting team. Before the tip-off, the Celtics played a video message that was earlier recorded by Hayward while in a hospital bed.
The injured player told fans: "What's up, everybody? Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who's had me in their thoughts and prayers."
He assured fans that he will be fine and added: "It's hurting me that I can't be there for the home opener. I want nothing more than to be with my teammates and walk out on that floor tonight. But I'll be supporting you guys from here, and wishing you the best of luck."
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens practically summed up how every Boston fan feels for Hayward: "You hurt for him." The coach added: "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."
Hayward was transferred to the Celtics alongside Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster deal in the previous offseason.
