Hayward’s debut for the Celtics has ended after just six minutes after the small forward landed awkwardly landed on his left ankle.
It was immediately clear that something wasn’t right as he hit the deck and when the camera zoomed in on Hayward it confirmed Celtics’ fans worst fears.
And his peers were visibly affected by the injury as they bent down with their head in their hands.
Play was stopped so Hayward could receive the necessary treatment from medical staff before he was stretchered off with both sets of fans getting on their feet to show their support.
After being further assessed by medical staff from both the Celtics and the Cavaliers it was confirmed he had been diagnosed with a fractured left ankle
It will come as a huge blow to Brad Stevens who acquired Hayward from the Utah Jazz in the summer with high hopes he would play a huge role in their success this season.
He signed a four-year £97million deal to play with his former college coach and Celtics general manager Danny Ainge viewed Hayward as a vital part of hopefully dethroning the Cavaliers at the top of the East.
But his gruesome injury is set to keep him out of action for some time.
And 1993 MVP winner Charles Barkley believes Haywards’ injury will have a profound effect on the Celtics’ hopes for the new season.
“Their season is now over,” Barkley said on NBA on TNT.
“We knew going into the season it was the Cavaliers, the Celtics , the Wizards and Toronto.
“Now it’s going to be very difficult for the Celtics to be in the top four or five.”