Just over five minutes into his debut with the Boston Celtics, Gordon Hayward suffered a devastating ankle injury live on national TV Tuesday night.
The 27-year-old small forward collided with Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James while going up for an alley-oop pass, and landed awkwardly on his left leg.
As Celtics and Cavaliers players alike rushed to his aid, it was clear to viewers watching the opening game of the 2017 NBA season on TNT that this was a serious, agonizing injury.
It was later announced by Celtics coach Brad Stevens that Hayward had dislocated his ankle and fractured his tibia. He was to be flown back to Boston from Cleveland for medical treatment and will likely have surgery on Wednesday.
Despite playing on the opposing team, James went into the Celtics’ locker room to check on Hayward after the injury, according to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst.
LeBron James just went into Cavs locker room where Gordon Hayward is receiving medical attention
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) October 18, 2017
Soon sports starts around the national basketball league and even from other sports expressed their sympathy and remorse after seeing the former Utah Jazz player writhing in pain.
“Can’t even put into words … Feeling for you man. Absolutely gut wrenching,” Houston Texans defensive lineman JJ Watt tweeted, just over a week after his NFL season ended due to a broken leg.
Can't even put into words.
Gordon Hayward.
Feeling for you man.
Absolutely gut wrenching.— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 18, 2017
“God bless you bro @gordonhayward! help him thru this god!” NBA All-Star Paul George said.
God bless you bro @gordonhayward ! ?? help him thru this god!
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 18, 2017
The Cavaliers went on to beat the Celtics in a nail-biting game by 102-99.
See more tweets below.
???? For @gordonhayward. Come back stronger!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) October 18, 2017
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 18, 2017
JUST AWFUL: First quarter of first game as a Celtic, Gordon Hayward falls awkwardly on alley-oop, looks like badly hurts knee.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 18, 2017
"You hurt for him," Brad Stevens says of Gordon Hayward. "I really feel for him."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 18, 2017
Feel for ya @gordonhayward ?????? First series, first game 2010…missed entire season, but haven’t missed a game since. pic.twitter.com/gTfjdtlGs3
— Connor Barwin (@ConnorBarwin98) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/jasonrmcintyre/status/920444269873086464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F2739296-gordon-haywards-gruesome-ankle-injury-sparks-outpouring-of-support-on-twitter
Never want to see that man!#thoughtsandprayers
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) October 18, 2017
The emotion was evident as the Celtics gathered together following Gordon Hayward's injury pic.twitter.com/z7MklZKxTK
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 18, 2017
Praying for my guy @gordonhayward!!! NEVER want to see any of the guys go through anything like that.
— DeAndre Jordan ? (@DeAndre) October 18, 2017