WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward broke his left ankle just five minutes into the NBA season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers as the home team triumphed against Celtics with 102-99 on Tuesday night.
Hayward, who signed a four-year, 128 million US dollars contract with the Celtics this summer, hurt his left ankle in a terrible way. The All Star player was taken directly to the hospital and will require surgery needing months to recover.
Cavs star LeBron James said it's very unfortunate for Hayward. "My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon's family. Hope for a speedy recovery, a healthy recovery," James said. "Those are the injuries that you never see coming, you never want to happen, no matter who it is, no matter what the stature, no matter how much competitive nature that you have," said James.
"You hurt for him," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of Hayward. "It's a tough, tough deal, but I guess that's part of the risk of injury. I really feel for him."
Hayward's horrific injury overshadowed Kyrie Irving's return to Cleveland and will re-direct Boston's immediate future and potential.
Irving, who asked to be traded this summer after six seasons in Cleveland, finished with 22 points for the Celtics in the opener.
James, who's still recovering from his ankle injury, scored 29 points for the home team. His best friend Dwyane Wade, who's just joined Cavs this summer, had eight points. Former MVP Derrick Rose collected 14 points.
