Striker Gordon Hayward left Game 1 of the Celtics-Sixers playoff series with an ankle injury and did not return.
While fighting for a defensive handball, with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Hayward’s right foot barely got to the foot of teammate Daniel Theis. Hayward fell briefly to the ground before jumping out of bounds. Theis got the ball in possession, and the Celtics shot the ball for an easy lineup, while Hayward stayed off the court through Philadelphia’s basket.
Jaylen Brown then deliberately attacked Sixers guard Alec Burks to stop the game. Out of anger, Hayward was helped out of court and immediately visited the locker room. The Celtics diagnosed him with a straight ankle strain and announced that he would not be available to return. (Note: The ankle is not the one he broke in the season opener in October 2017.)
Gordon Hayward was assisted by the court after it appeared to injure his ankle. pic.twitter.com/ePanph0cwZ
– Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) August 18, 2020
After Boston hung on for the 109-101 victory, Celtics coach Brad Stevens had no update on the severity of the injury. Hayward, who was spotted leaving the arena with crutches and a boat, did not speak to the media.
“He’s clearly in pain,” Stevens said. “It looked like it already had some swelling.”
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hayward will undergo an MRI later this evening. Game 2 of the Celtics Sixers first-round playoff series is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
In Game 1, Hayward scored 12 points on 5-for-13 shots.
