Gordon Hayward’s gruesome injury put a big damper on the NBA’s opener between the Celtics and Cavaliers. It was a truly horrible moment that sucked the air out of Quicken Loans Arena.
As Hayward’s air cast was put on and he was being taken to the locker room, LeBron James walked over to offer up words to Hayward, along with Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Love.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that it didn’t stop there:
LeBron James just went into Cavs locker room where Gordon Hayward is receiving medical attention
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) October 18, 2017
Windhorst also reported that Isaiah Thomas, who expected to be Hayward’s teammate this summer, also paid a visit to the locker room:
Isaiah Thomas, who recruited Hayward to Boston over summer, has also been with him in locker room.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) October 18, 2017
There’s really nothing else to say other than Hayward’s injury was awful. You don’t have to be a fan of his or the Celtics to feel terrible about what we saw on Tuesday night — it sucks.
The NBA is the best league in professional sports, and part of that is because it’s such a friendly game that everyone can rally around and enjoy. LeBron’s sportsmanship towards Hayward is just part of what makes the NBA so great.
Hopefully Hayward makes as speedy of a recovery as possible.