Charlotte Hornets lose Gordon Hayward to injury vs. Raptors
.JPG "Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward is shaken up after a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)")
Charlotte Hornets star Gordon Hayward exited Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors after he suffered a left ankle sprain in the first quarter.
He has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
After Monday’s game, Hornets coach James Borrego said he didn’t have an update yet on Hayward’s ankle. Hayward had an X-ray done to assess the severity of the injury.
“It didn’t look good when he came off the floor,” Borrego said.
Hayward suffered the injury when Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. fell on his ankle as they battled for a rebound. He stayed on the floor under the basket for some time as play continued. When he finally got up, he limped off the floor and headed straight for the locker room.
Hayward was playing in his third game since returning from the league’s health and safety protocols due to COVID-19. He missed six consecutive games in the protocol.
Hayward was often injured in his first year with the Hornets last season. He missed 28 out of 72 games during the 2020-21 season but has only missed seven games this season.
Hayward is averaging 16.4 points per game and 4.7 rebounds.
This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 7:44 PM.
