Cleveland wins 102-99 thanks to LeBron James’ 29 points.
Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics shattered his left ankle only five minutes into the season, overshadowing Kyrie Irving’s return to Cleveland and the Cavaliers’ 102-99 triumph against the stunned Celtics on Tuesday night.
LeBron James scored 29 points and 13 rebounds in the fourth quarter, his most lengthy play in three weeks due to an injured left ankle. He also set up Kevin Love for a game-winning three-pointer with 46.3 seconds remaining, putting the Cavs up 102-98.
Irving, who begged to be traded after six seasons in Cleveland this summer, had a chance to tie it with a three-pointer at the buzzer but missed. Irving then exchanged a loving embrace with James, his three-year teammate. Irving led the team with 22 points.
With 6:45 remaining in the first quarter, Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agency contract with the Celtics this summer, was pushed by James while attempting to collect an alley-oop pass. As he returned to the floor, the forward’s leg became twisted beneath him and shattered his ankle grotesquely, leaving it dangling at an unnatural angle. While several players covered their lips and turned their heads, the 27-year-old sat up, looked at his foot, and shouted in fear.
Hayward’s injury altered the tone of the highly anticipated season opening between two of the league’s greatest teams, and it will almost certainly influence the course of Boston’s season. Hayward will require surgery and will be out of commission for several months.
At halftime, the Celtics were understandably spooked, and
“I’ve seen a couple of injuries like that in my lifetime,” James added afterwards. “I saw what happened to Paul George [with Team USA in 2014].” When it happened, I was watching the game with Shaun Livingston, who was with the Clippers at the time. When Kevin Ware was at Louisville, I was watching NCAA basketball. Those are the injuries that you never see coming and that you never want to happen, no matter who it is, what your height is, or how competitive you are. It’s simply unfortunate.”
As the game neared its conclusion, Irving’s free throw made it 102-99, and the Celtics had two late chances, but both Jaylen Brown and Irving missed late threes. Derrick Rose got 14 points in his debut for the Cavs, who are seeking to integrate fresh faces and strong egos fast.
Following the final bell, James and Irving finished their famous handshake, and the All-Star point guard welcomed numerous former teammates.
He could still have a long way to go with Cleveland’s fans, who booed him every time he touched the ball. Irving heard it from the moment he stepped onto the court, as Cleveland fans had their first chance to express their unhappiness with him for requesting a trade this summer despite three straight visits to the NBA Finals and one title.
However, Hayward’s injury took some of the sting out of the Cleveland audience, who offered the forward a standing ovation as he was carried off the court on a stretcher. When Hayward fell down, Boston’s players huddled in prayer on their bench, while a distraught James sat in bewilderment on the scorer’s table. The injury served as a reminder that there are no guarantees.
The defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors, were defeated 122-121 by the Houston Rockets in the night’s second game. Kevin Durant appeared to have won the game at the buzzer, but referees determined that he had not fired his shot in time.
“I didn’t think it counted,” admitted Golden State coach Steve Kerr. “When I saw it, it seemed a little late to me.” It didn’t surprise me when the decision was reversed.”
