The Boston Celtics opened the NBA season Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and in his first game with the Celtics, small forward Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle injury.
The broadcast noted Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle.
Hayward was cutting along the baseline when he jumped for an alley-oop and fell to the floor with his leg bent underneath him.
Warning: The video linked in the below tweet contains footage that may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Hayward’s leg was stabilized and he was carted off the floor. LeBron James, Cavaliers players and Celtics teammates shook Hayward’s hand before he left the court.
Hayward, the former No. 9 overall selection, visited the Miami Heat, Celtics and Utah Jazz before making his free agency decision, eventually landing with Boston. He spent seven years with the Jazz.
Hayward, who is coming off an All-Star year for the Jazz and made it to the second round of the NBA playoffs, shook up the power in the Eastern Conference by adding a legitimate second offensive weapon to a Celtics team lacking one in last year’s playoffs.
He averaged a career-best 21 points and five rebounds per game last season.
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