Gordon Hayward is injured again. This time it’s a fractured hand

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics, who started the season playing all-star quality basketball again, left Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs with a fractured bone in his left hand.

It’s the second notable injury for Hayward, who missed almost all the 2017-2018 season because of an ankle injury.

“This one doesn’t feel near as bad as it did two years ago,” Celtics Coach Brad Stevens said. “He’ll be back. He’ll be off for a few weeks or a month or whatever it is.”

Stevens said the team officials and Hayward will consult with doctors Sunday to determine whether Hayward needs surgery.

He played last season, mostly off the bench, and averaged 11.4 points per game. This season, he was scoring at a 20.3 points per game rate going into Saturday’s contest and was averaging 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

“Gordon Hayward has been diagnosed with a left hand fracture after an X-ray examination and is out for the remainder of tonight’s game against San Antonio,” the team said.

Hayward’s injury comes just after the Golden State Warriors lost star Steph Curry for three months to a broken hand.

Hayward, an all-star three seasons ago. was playing defense when he collided with the Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge late in the second quarter. As Aldridge was called for an illegal screen, Gordon bent over in pain and held his hand. It appeared Hayward banged his hand or wrist on Aldridge’s forearm.

The Celtics won the game 135-115. Hayward had nine points.