Hayward makes triumphant return as Jazz beat Knicks
RETURN. Gordon Hayward, seen here during a preseason game against the Suns in early October, makes a triumphant return from an injury to the Utah Jazz. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK, USA – Utah's Gordon Hayward made a triumphant NBA return from a fractured finger Sunday, November 6 (Tuesday in Manila) by scoring 28 points to lead the Utah Jazz over the host New York Knicks 114-109.
The 26-year-old forward missed the first 6 games of the season with a broken left ring finger but Hayward, who led Utah last season with 19.7 points and 3.7 assists a game, made the most of his season debut in a Madison Square Garden matinee.
"First off, it felt great just to be out there," Hayward said. "You work all summer to be able to play, and so to have the injury was definitely unfortunate, but it's good to be out there with the guys.
"It's a little awkward playing with the splint for sure, but it's not going to stop me from getting out there on the court when it's time to play."
Rodney Hood scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Jazz (4-3) outscored New York 36-29 in the last 12 minutes.
George Hill added 23 points and 9 assists for Utah while Frenchman Rudy Gobert scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds and Derrick Favors scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
"It gives us another guy who can demand double-teams and can create," Hill said of Hayward's return. "It just gives a whole other dimension."
Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and 9 rebounds for the Knicks (2-4) while Kristaps Porzingis scored 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for New York. – Rappler.com
