Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics consoles Gordon Hayward after Hayward was injured while playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
After his grisly ankle injury, Boston forward Gordon Hayward has received a deluge of support from his fellow players, NBA teams and fans who are all praying for his speedy recovery.
Hayward fractured his left ankle and left tibia after an awkward fall as he was trying to complete an alley-oop play barely six minutes into the anticipated NBA season-opener between the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
READ: Gordon Hayward suffers gruesome ankle injury
Silence fell inside the Quicken Loans Arena as Hayward squirmed in pain with his ankle bent at an awkward angle. He received medical aid at the Cavaliers’ locker room and was scheduled to be flown in to Boston the same night.
The @celtics huddle after Gordon Hayward injury. pic.twitter.com/ODAjyEnTVY
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 18, 2017
Aside from Hayward’s teammates, LeBron James was among those who immediately consoled the Celtics’ new recruit while he was getting ready to be stretched off the court. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that James and former Celtic Isaiah Thomas went to the locker to check on Hayward.
The Cavaliers won, 102-99.
LeBron gives Gordon Hayward some words of encouragement following his injury. pic.twitter.com/VW4HDDoP2k
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2017
Others players and team accounts, meanwhile, took to Twitter to empathize with Hawyard with some using the hashtag #PrayForGordonHayward.
Paul George and Shaun Livingston, who both know how it feels like to be in Hayward’s shoes after suffering gruesome injuries of their own, offered words of encouragement for their fellow player.
READ: Gordon Hayward signs 4-year, maximum deal with Celtics
George broke his lower right leg in a horrific fashion during a Team USA scrimmage in 2014 but returned to action for the Pacers barely a year after. Livingston, meanwhile, tore three ligaments in his left knee back in 2007.
God bless you bro @gordonhayward ! 🙏🏾 help him thru this god!
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 18, 2017
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 @gordonhayward. Only God has ALL the answers.
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) October 18, 2017
While Hayward, who signed a four-year max contract with Boston in July, hasn’t been a Celtic that long, NBA legend Bill Russell reminded him that he is part of the family in a heartwearming tweet of support.
@gordonhayward want you to know you are a #Celtic & you are not alone, we #bleedgreentogether
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) October 18, 2017
Here are some of the tweets from players who showed their support for Hawyard:
Praying for my guy @gordonhayward!!! NEVER want to see any of the guys go through anything like that.
— DeAndre Jordan (@DeAndre) October 18, 2017
Lord , Carry Him Now 🙏🏾@gordonhayward pic.twitter.com/jEnvghETW1
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) October 18, 2017
Wow…thats horrific…feel awful for Hayward
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) October 18, 2017
🙏🏽🙏🏽 For @gordonhayward. Come back stronger!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) October 18, 2017
Prayers up @gordonhayward. Wishing you a healthy recovery.
🙏🏾— James Harden (@JHarden13) October 18, 2017
No matter how competitive I get…you never wish injury upon any opponent. All the good vibes to @gordonhayward and his rehab bak!
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) October 18, 2017
Hate to see @gordonhayward go down like that. I know he will be back stronger and wish him the best recovery possible.
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) October 18, 2017