Hayward hurt as Celts beat Spurs
SAN ANTONIO >> Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics routed the San Antonio Spurs 135-115 on Saturday in a victory that was tempered by the loss of Gordon Hayward, who broke his left hand late in the first half.
Kemba Walker add 26 points as Boston (7-1) won its seventh straight game and set season highs for total points, first quarter scoring (39 points) and first half scoring (72 points).
There was a somberness to the victory, though, as Hayward suffered his second significant injury since signing with the Celtics three seasons ago.
The Boston forward broke his left hand after colliding with San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Hayward was sent for an X-ray that confirmed the diagnosis. He did not return to the game. The Celtics said Hayward will miss at least a month and he could undergo surgery, according to coach Brad Stevens.
“Going to get with the doctors tomorrow and decide if he needs to do surgery or not,” Stevens said. “Sounds like should he
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decide that the surgery option (is best, it) might actually be a better timeline. So, we’ll see what that all plays out to be.”
Hayward winced in pain after
PELICANS 115, HORNETS 110 >> Brandon Ingram had 25 points and nine rebounds, and New Orleans overcame 26 turnovers to beat Charlotte and snap a three-game losing streak.
JJ Redick had 22 points on five
3-pointers and Jrue Holiday added
12 points and 11 assists for the Pelicans (2-7).
Raptors’ Lowry, Ibaka out indefinitely
TORONTO >> Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry of Villanova and center Serge Ibaka will be out indefinitely after injuries against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lowry fractured his left thumb during the first quarter of Friday night’s 122-104 victory. The team said Saturday he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Ibaka sprained his right ankle and will undergo additional imaging in Los Angeles, where Toronto plays the Lakers on Sunday and the Clippers and former teammate Kawhi Leonard on Monday.
Lowry is averaging 21.8 points and 6.5 assists. Ibaka is averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.