After his season was derailed following a vicious ankle/tibia injury in Boston’s season opener against Cleveland on Tuesday, Gordon Hayward had a message for fans from his hospital bed as the Celtics got set to play their first home game of the season.
Gordon Hayward has a message for Celtics Nation. pic.twitter.com/H6RHeGgios
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 18, 2017
What’s up everybody. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who’s had me in their thoughts and prayers. I’m gonna be alright. [It’s] hurting me that I can’t be there for the home opener. I’d want nothing more than to be with my teammates and to walk out on that floor tonight, but I’ll be supporting you guys from here and wishing you the best of luck. Kill it tonight. Thanks guys.
Here’s the view from the crowd:
video: Gordon Hayward delivers a message to Celtics fans from his hospital room. pic.twitter.com/IsYAfum37a
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) October 18, 2017
Hayward collided with LeBron James in mid-air less than six minutes into Boston’s season opener and landed hard, dislocating his ankle and fracturing his tibia in the process. The Celtics expect a full recovery, per head coach Brad Stevens, and Hayward, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, will undergo surgery tonight.