The basketball fraternity has been reacting with sympathy to the horrific injury sustained by Gordon Hayward in the opening game of the NBA season.

The 27-year-old forward made his debut for the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, but broke his ankle early on and was due to undergo surgery on Wednesday night with his season in jeopardy. Kobe Bryant, who retired in 2016, is among those who have spoken up to encourage Hayward as the LA Lakers legend certainly knows about dealing with setbacks.

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. 

He said, "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 so that he will come back as a better player, and finished by saying: "Best of luck to you on this journey my brother."

 NBA All-Star Paul George also tweeted: “God bless you bro @gordonhayward! help him thru this god!”  

 "Come back stronger!" Stephen Curry wrote on Twitter.