Breaking (literally): Former Utah Jazz All-Star Gordon Hayward Fractures Hand

Just as it looked liked he was finally returning to his All-Star form, former Utah Jazz All-Star, Gordon Hayward, suffered another significant injury – a fractured hand.

Love him or hate him, Gordon Hayward has had his struggles since leaving the Utah Jazz for a larger NBA market to play for his former college coach, Brad Stevens.

It all began with Hayward’s devastating injury in the Boston Celtics’ 2017 season opener –  a grotesquely broken ankle that shocked the entire league.

Now, let me be clear, I never want to see any player get injured, period. I felt for the guy when I heard the news, and even more so when I saw the video of it. Due to the graphic nature, I won’t embed the video in this article, but I linked it here.

(For those that get queasy, I’ll give you the gist. Hayward lands on his ankle in a way that can be both seen and heard throughout the arena.)

Still, Hayward’s departure from the Utah franchise – along with everything that came with it, such as his ridiculously delayed announcement, not calling Gail Miller, and more – it was all too fresh in my memory to simply forgive the guy just because he got hurt.

Yet, to his credit, Hayward worked patiently and relentlessly – through both physical and emotional adversity. There were plenty of times that Boston fans were frustrated with the cap space and minutes he was taking up, particularly through the playoffs last season.

Earlier this week, it seemed his hard work was finally paying off. Hayward made headlines in a bout against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he recorded a season-high 39 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in 34 minutes of play.

Two nights later, Hayward pulled off another solid outing against the Charlotte Hornets with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

However, just as it looked as though the former All-Star was returning to his old form, disheartening news broke, as did his left hand. (Was that delivery in bad taste?)

Hayward was on his way to another solid performance against the San Antonio Spurs with nine points in 15 minutes when he was screened by LaMarcus Aldridge (who was assessed a foul on the play).

At first glance, the play looks fairly uneventful, almost like Hayward is exaggerating the contact to draw a foul. Even in slow motion it is hard to see. After close inspection, however, you can see Hayward’s left hand bend back as he grabs Aldridge’s arm.

Again, it might not look like much, but keep in mind, Aldridge is a large human being, and if I remember correctly from my old anatomy courses in high school, the hand isn’t meant to be bent back very far.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m a passionate Jazz fan. To say I was frustrated at the way Hayward handled his free agency is a significant understatement. I have never pretended otherwise and I even took a shot at him in my last article. (It probably won’t be my last shot at him either.) Frankly, my opinion of how he left the franchise hasn’t changed one bit.

Still, at this point, after all the guy has already been through, it’s difficult to see him face another huge setback like this. I’m not saying I’ll be cheering for him when he returns to Salt Lake City, but I’ll at least be keeping my boos to a dull roar this time.

Clearly, another injury like this must be more emotionally disheartening than anything. In fact, my buddy Jack Laprevote from Twitter pointed out the arguable worst of it.

(Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.)

All kidding aside, despite how devastating an injury like this must be for the guy, I have no doubt Hayward will work his way back just as he did before, and I’m personally looking forward to seeing him overcome that adversity.

Here is a Jazz fan that’s praying for a quick recovery for a player that I’m still not too fond of, yet hoping the best for him nonetheless.

What do you think, Jazz Nation? Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below!