FILE PHOTO - Mar 31, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - After suffering a devastating ankle fracture just five minutes into his debut as a Boston Celtic on Tuesday, forward Gordon Hayward received encouragement from NBA players who overcame gruesome injuries of their own before returning to the league.
Hayward, who signed a blockbuster four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics during the offseason, snapped the left ankle during the team's season opener in Cleveland after landing awkwardly while trying to catch a pass at the rim.
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