Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward sent a video message from his hospital bed before the team's home opener on Wednesday night (Thursday NZ time), telling fans that he was going to be alright.
The 27-year-old suffered a fractured tibia and a dislocated ankle during the Celtics opening match against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday (NZ time) which sent shockwaves around the NBA community.
But before he went under the knife, Hayward sent through a video to share with the Celtics' fans ahead of their match.
Twenty-four hours after a gruesome injury which left basketball fans in shock, Boston Celtic superstar Gordon Hayward has ensured he will be alright.
"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."
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 after jumping in the air attempting to catch an alley-oop pass.
It was his first match in a Celtics uniform after signing a four-year, $128 million ($NZ179 m) deal during the offseason.
Newshub.
