Marcus Smart and Robert Williams of the Celtics will not play against the Raptors due to ailments
Robert Williams III and Marcus Smart won’t be available for the remainder of the Boston Celtics’ contest with the Toronto Raptors.
As he attempted to dribble past Gary Trent Jr. and Pascal Siakam in the closing seconds of the second quarter, Smart seemed to twist his ankle. Trainers would help Smart off the court as he remained down and was unable to put much weight on his right leg.
Williams’ left knee hyperextension caused him to be out for the remainder of the game as well. The centre appeared to have been hurt early in the game because he hit his knee and took a while to stand up. Despite this, he attempted to continue playing through the second quarter before abandoning the game.
Williams III averages 8.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in just 14 games, whereas Smart averages 11.4 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 40 games this season.
Please follow our submission rules when submitting content and refrain from using foul language, making personal attacks, or engaging in harassing behaviour. We have the right to delete your comments and deactivate your account if you violate our submissions policies. The comment section of a story may be closed at any time by Sportsnet.
Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics fractures his ankle in the first game of the year.
IN CLEVELAND Five minutes into his Celtics debut, Boston star player Gordon Hayward sustained a horrific injury, dislocating his left ankle and breaking his left tibia.
Midway through the first quarter, Hayward, who this summer signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract, jumped up for an alley-oop pass and collided with LeBron James. As he fell back to the ground, his leg was caught in a twist. Hayward fell to the ground beneath the basket, his left foot pointing outward, and he stared in terror.
A silence descended over the sold-out crowd inside Quicken Loans Arena as he dropped back to the ground with his hands covering his face.
After the injury, James covered his mouth in anguish and numerous Cleveland players turned away as Hayward’s new teammates knelt in prayer at their bench. James visited Hayward as his leg was being put in an air cast and comforted him before the 27-year-old was hoisted from the ground on a stretcher.
As Hayward exited, Cleveland’s audience erupted in a jubilant standing ovation.
Coach Brad Stevens of the Celtics said of former Butler standout Hayward, “You hurt for him.” It’s a difficult situation, but I suppose that’s a risk of injury. I feel so bad for him.
Later, the team revealed that Hawyard had injured his ankle and would be returning to Boston on Tuesday night by plane. The Celtics, who had hoped to catch up to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, have been dealt a fatal blow.
They might now be without Hayward for a long time.
Prior to joining with Boston, Hayward played for the Utah Jazz for the previous six seasons.
The All-Star point guard’s return to Cleveland after being dealt to Boston this summer was overshadowed by the injury.
LeBron James claimed that witnessing Hayward’s injury brought to mind the gruesome wounds suffered by Paul George, Shaun Livingston, and Kevin Ware of Louisville.
“Gordon’s family is in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you a quick and healthy recovery,” James remarked. No matter who it is, how tall they are, or how much of a competitive nature they possess, those are the injuries that you never see coming and that you never want to occur. Simply put, it’s quite unfortunate.
This report included material from The Associated Press.
Leave a Reply