CLEVELAND — Gordon Hayward suffered a fractured ankle in the first quarter of the Celtics season opener against the Cavaliers.
Hayward extended for an lob pass from Kyrie Irving with 6:50 to play in the first quarter and landed awkwardly under the Cavaliers basket. He immediately yelled in pain as his ankle was obviously broken.
Officials tell me Gordon Hayward is being flown via MedFlight to Boston. He will then be taken to NE Baptist Hosp in Boston. Our best to him
— Blair Miller (@BlairMillerTV) October 18, 2017
Do yourself a favor don't look up the Hayward injury..look at their faces, it was awful. #GordonHayward pic.twitter.com/TXaPoX3a7b
— Chad Amaral (@Chad_Amaral) October 18, 2017
Prayers for GH
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) October 18, 2017
Praying for my guy @gordonhayward!!! NEVER want to see any of the guys go through anything like that.
— DeAndre Jordan (@DeAndre) October 18, 2017
Silence came over Quicken Loans Arena as players from both teams covered their faces, while others looked on in disbelief.
Trainers from both teams tended to Hayward, who ultimately was moved to a stretcher and taken off the court.
He was evaluated by the medical staff from both teams and the Celtics announced he suffered a fractured ankle shortly before 9pm.
Cox Media Group