Report: Gordon Hayward’s fracture appears ‘clean’
Gordon Hayward suffered a fractured tibia and dislocated ankle in the first quarter of Boston’s season-opening loss, but early reports indicate he may have avoided serious damage to the surrounding ligaments and blood vessels.
Gordon Hayward’s ankle fracture appears to be “clean,” with no blood vessel or ligament damage, Mike Gorman reported on NBC Sports Boston.
Per @celticsvoice on @NBCSBoston, "early word on the fracture is that it's clean...doesn't appear to be ligament or blood vessel damage."
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) October 18, 2017
Hayward suffered the injury in the opening quarter of his first regular-season game as a Celtic. He collided with LeBron James while attempting to convert an alley-oop, and his left leg bent at an unnatural angle as he crashed to the floor.
Initial reports indicated that Hayward dislocated his left ankle and fractured his left tibia, but quick action by on-site medical personnel may have prevented further damage to Heyward’s leg. As athletic trainer and sports injury expert Jeff Stotts explains:
"ESPN reports the dislocation was reset on the court. A quick reduction is important to minimize any potential neurovascular problems. It can also provide pain relief for the injured individual."
NBA players and other prominent athletes took to social media to lend support to Hayward, including Oklahoma City’s Paul George and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans.
God bless you bro @gordonhayward ! 🙏🏾 help him thru this god!
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 18, 2017
Can't even put into words.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 18, 2017
Gordon Hayward.
Feeling for you man.
Absolutely gut wrenching.
George suffered a similarly gruesome injury during a Team USA Olympic prep event in 2014 and missed most of the 2014-15 NBA season. Watt is out for the remainder of this season after suffering a broken tibia.
It is far too early to even guess how long Hayward will be sidelined. He is expected to have surgery soon — possibly on Wednesday — but treatment options are still being assessed, pending the results of additional tests. Stotts suggested that the insertion of a plate and screws is likely.
The injury cast a pall over a much-hyped season opener and the Celtics debuts of both Hayward and ex-Cavalier Kyrie Irving. Boston was able to overcome an 18-point third-quarter deficit and take a lead with just over two minutes remaining, Cleveland surged back. Irving’s attempted game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer fell short.
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