The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2017-2018 NBA season with a highly anticipated match-up in front of a national audience. While the excitement for the new season was palpable, the buzz faded with haste upon sight of a gruesome injury to newly-acquired Celtics forward Gordon Hayward.
Less than six minutes into the contest, Hayward elevated for a lob on the offensive end of the floor and, upon his landing, fell awkwardly and suffered what was immediately visible as quite a serious injury.
It is far too early to speculate on specifics but Hayward’s ailment was apparent on sight and the game was stopped for a lengthy period of time. Here is a video of the injury, a warning that it is really hard to watch.
Immediately, the broadcast, led by play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan painted the grim picture of the injury and a stretcher appeared for Hayward. It was so bad that a stretcher came out to usher him into the locker room.
Stretcher coming out for Gordon Hayward.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) October 18, 2017
In short, it was as if the energy was sucked out of the arena and the reaction was sweeping from both those on the scene and viewing at home.
Just a completely gruesome injury here for Gordon Hayward. There is an uneasy buzz in the arena as a stretcher is brought out to the court.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 18, 2017
Kind of injury you see, and can't unsee. Foot was turned sideways. Just awful. Stretcher coming out.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) October 18, 2017
no words
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) October 18, 2017
While it’s impossible to focus on anything other than the injury and how Hayward will be impacted, ESPN’s Bobby Marks provided a (somewhat tactless) updated on how Boston can react to this, saying the team can use the “Disabled Player Exception” on Hayward before March 10, 2018.
The Celtics would be eligible to apply for the Disable Player Exception based on the Gordon Hayward injury. The… https://t.co/Vk9Q8Gi2Dn
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2017
After evaluation, the initial diagnosis for Hayward is a fractured ankle and, per the TNT broadcast, he will be transported from the arena to a medical facility.
After a medical evaluation from both the Celtics and Cavaliers staff, Gordon Hayward has been diagnosed w/ a fractured left ankle. #CLEvsBOS
— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) October 18, 2017
The entire NBA world is certainly rallying around Hayward in the aftermath and we’ll keep you updated as more information comes in throughout the evening.
