Boston Celtics Forward Gordon Hayward Fractured His Ankle Six Minutes into the 2017-18 NBA Season

Source: YouTube

Gordon Hayward expected to miss the rest of the season

After signing all-star small forward Gordon Hayward and trading for point guard Kyrie Irving, the Boston Celtics were supposed to be a team talented enough to challenge LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. It looks like expectations need to be recalibrated.

Hayward fractured his left ankle on an attempted alley hoop play six minutes into the start of the NBA season. He will almost certainly miss the remainder of the 2017-18 NBA season. The injury was gruesome, and players on the court, like Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and Dwyane Wade, instantly looked away while Hayward rolled on the floor.

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It's an unfortunate amount start for Boston and Howard, who signed a $128 million deal with the Celtics over the summer.

As soon as the injury happened, athletes sent out their support on social media:

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The pundits also had a lot to say, including FS1 commentator Skip Bayless. He tweeted this:

He was instantly blasted for the comment by other players: