Celtics’ Hayward suffers gruesome left leg injury

Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome-looking injury to his left leg on an alley-oop attempt with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter of Tuesday’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The injury looked severe, with Hayward’s leg and ankle turned in an unnatural position. Hayward’s leg was immobilized, and he was carted off on a stretcher. The Celtics announced the injury as a broken left ankle.

Players immediately called for medical attention once they saw Hayward’s leg.

Hayward, who signed a fouryear, $128 million contract in the summer and joined his former college coach Brad Stevens in Boston, had two points before the injury.

Celtics players huddled on the sideline, and concerned silence filled Quicken Loans Arena.

If it is as bad as it looked, the injury is devastating for the Celtics, who signed Hayward and acquired Kyrie Irving to challenge the Cavaliers and win the Eastern Conference championship.

With the Utah Jazz last season, Hayward averaged career highs in points (21.9) and field goal percentage (47.1%). He also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists and shot 39.8% on three-pointers and made his first All-Star team.