We return with basketball and the opening game of the NBA season on Tuesday was certainly an eventful one, but definitely not in the way Gordon Hayward hoped. The 27 year old forward made his debut for the Boston Celtics, but broke his ankle early on in a grisly accident and is will undergo surgery that could jeopardize his entire season. Kobe Bryant has spoken up to encourage Hayward as the LA Lakers legend certainly knows about dealing with set backs.

 

Hayward suffered the injury about five minutes into the first quarter when he went up for a pass from Kyrie Irving and landed awkwardly on his left leg, resulting in his foot twisted about ninety degrees. The gruesome injury left everybody in the arena visibly shocked. Bryant knows what it's like to deal with a serious injury after he ruptured his Achilles tendon during a game in April, 2013. And the future Hall of Famer posted a message to Hayward on social media.

 

"Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up you will think it was just a nightmare only to realize it's all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back. But reality gives nothing back and nor should you." said Kobe. He also told Hayward to focus on the recovery step by step and that he will come back better a player and finished by saying, "Best of luck to you on this journey my brother."