Hayward greets Celts fans
CELTICS FORWARD Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before heading into surgery on Wednesday night, telling Boston fans at the team’s home opener: “It’s hurting me that I can’t be there.”
The crowd at the TD Garden for the Celtics’ game against the Bucks – which Milwaukee won 108-100 — cheered when Marcus Smart directed fans’ attention to the scoreboard, where Hayward appeared wearing a hospital gown and sitting up in bed. The arena hushed to hear the brief message, then erupted in another cheer when it was over.
“What’s up, everybody? Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who’s had me in their thoughts and prayers,” Hayward said in the 30-second message, which was also sent out by the team on Twitter. “I’m going to be all right,” Hayward said.
“It’s hurting me that I can’t be there for the home opener. I want nothing more than to be with my teammates and walk out on that floor tonight. But I’ll be supporting you guys from here, and wishing you the best of luck.”
After signing with Boston in the offseason as a free agent, Hayward was injured in the sixth minute of his first game for the Celtics, crumpling to the floor Tuesday in Cleveland with a gruesome ankle injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter of the Bucks’ win.
Kyrie Irving scored 17 points on 7-for-25 shooting in his Boston debut.
BAD LUCK
Andrew Luck has stopped throwing passes for now, and it’s not yet clear when he’ll resume.
On Wednesday, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the team has instructed the star quarterback to take a break from throwing after developing soreness in his surgically repaired throwing shoulder.
Ballard explained some soreness was expected as Luck continued to work his way back from a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder.
MESSI’S 100TH
Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition when he curled a free kick over the wall in the 61st minute. Olympiakos goalkeeper Silvio Proto got a hand on the ball but couldn’t keep it out as Messi took his career tally in the Champions League to 97 goals.