Hayward sends upbeat message from hospital bed

Boston (AP) — Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before the team’s home opener, telling Boston fans: “It hurts me that I can’t be there.”

The crowd at the TD Garden for the Celtics’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night cheered when Hayward appeared on the video screen, wearing a hospital gown and sitting up in bed. He said he was watching the game on TV and “I’m going to be all right.” Hayward was injured in the sixth minute of his first game for the Celtics, crumpling to the floor Tuesday in Cleveland with a gruesome injury. Coach Brad Stevens said-hayward has a dislocated ankle and broken tibia.

He is expected to have surgery soon, but it hasn’t been scheduled yet. Stevens says he isn’t sure if Hayward will be able to return this season.