Gordon Hayward breaks ankle in first quarter of first game with Celtics


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CLEVELAND — In the first quarter of his first game as a member of the Boston Celtics, Gordon Hayward landed awkwardly on an alley-oop attempt, breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle.

Warning: The video is not for the faint of heart. Hayward goes up for an alley-oop and lands awkwardly. Hayward is then seen grimacing, his foot twisted perpendicular to his leg. After several minutes on the floor, he is taken away on a stretcher.

Gordon Hayward is out for the season pic.twitter.com/W2P0FM4nMg — Karim (@TalkFolly) October 18, 2017

Hayward left the arena on a stretcher, with his leg in a protective sleeve, [according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst](https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/920452875133874176). Hayward will fly back to Boston Tuesday night for further evaluation. After the game, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said that Hayward had a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle.

"You hurt for him," Stevens told the Associated Press. "It's a tough, tough deal, but I guess that's part of the risk of injury. I really feel for him."

Hayward joined the Boston Celtics on a 4-year maximum contract in July after spending seven years with the Utah Jazz. Hayward had played 92 percent of the possible 82 games per season during his career before Tuesday's injury.

The Utah Jazz sent a message on Twitter to Hayward:

Gordon and Robyn, our thoughts are with you and your family. All of Jazz Nation sending best wishes for a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/UzYyWX5iaV — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 18, 2017

Players from around the NBA reacted to Hayward's injury:

Praying for my guy @gordonhayward!!! NEVER want to see any of the guys go through anything like that. — DeAndre Jordan (@DeAndre) October 18, 2017

> Hate to see [@gordonhayward](https://twitter.com/gordonhayward?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) go down like that. I know he will be back stronger and wish him the best recovery possible. > > — Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) [October 18, 2017](https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/920484214297935873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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