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Gordon Hayward’s terrible luck has followed him to Charlotte

Gordon Hayward cannot catch a break. Not one that he’d like, anyway.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 17: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the third quarter of Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden on April 17, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com

four-year, $120 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets wasn't enough to snap Gordon Hayward's stretch of horrendous injury luck, as Hayward's Charlotte debut paved the way for Hayward's first injury as a Hornet, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.

First of all, what a weird and by all means unnecessary way to say pinkie. Unless this is Charania's way of subtly letting us all know that Hayward has more than five fingers. (Honestly hoping it's the latter.)

Secondly, man... when do we acknowledge this guy as cursed?

We obviously all remember the season-ending injury Hayward suffered in his Celtics debut in 2017, and the year-long recovery that followed. But even last year, Hayward got off to an All-Star level start and promptly suffered a broken hand that shelved him for 13 games. Hayward rebounded and finished strong, with 17.5 points per game and a career-best 50 percent field goal percentage, and then suffered a significant ankle sprain in the C's first game of the postseason. That injury forced Hayward to exit the Orlando bubble, and while he returned for the final four games of the postseason, his impact felt marginal at best.

Overall, Hayward missed 109 regular season games and 31 playoff tilts to injury during his three-year run with the Celtics.

And it looks like those troubles have followed him to Charlotte.

The Hornets will begin their 2020-21 season on Dec. 23, but will not play the Celtics in the first half of their season slate.

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
Ty Anderson is 98.5 The Sports Hub’s friendly neighborhood straight-edge kid. Ty has been covering the Bruins (and other Boston teams) since 2010, has been a member of the PHWA since 2013, and went left to right across your radio dial and joined The Sports Hub in 2018. Ty also writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox.