Basketball legend Kobe Bryant wrote a message of encouragement to Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward after Hayward suffered a broken ankle in Tuesday night’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.
The retired Bryant is one of several professional athletes to write messages of support to the 27-year-old Hayward on social media after his injury.
Bryant shared with Hayward that anger and frustration are normal after experiencing an injury like Hayward did in his first game with Celtics, but to remember to focus on doing everything he can to prepare for surgery and recover.
“It’s a long journey but if you focus on the mini milestones along the way you will find beauty in the struggle of doing simple things that prior to this injury were taken for granted,” Bryant wrote. “This will also mean that when you return you will have a new perspective. You will be so appreciative of being able to stand, walk, run that you will train harder than you ever have.
“You see the belief within you grow with each mini milestone and you will come back a better player for it. Best of luck to you on this journey my brother #manbamentality always.”
Hayward signed a four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics in July after spending seven seasons with the Utah Jazz.
