The most memorable near misses and close calls in sports history
Gordon Hayward announced his retirement on Thursday, with his missed heave in the 2010 national title game being one of the most memorable c...AUGUST 1
GORDON HAYWARD
9.8 PPG •
3.5 RPG •
3.1 APG
9.8 PPG
3.5 RPG
3.1 APG
Gordon Hayward announces retirement from NBA after 14 seasons
Gordon Hayward announced his retirement from the NBA on Thursday, ending his basketball career after 14 professional seasons and a memorable...AUGUST 1
Brings end to career Hayward announced Thursday via social media that he has retired from professional basketball.
Impact After an outstanding two-year collegiate run at Butler, Hayward entered the professional ranks and was selected by the Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. A one-time All-Star, Hayward carved out a productive 14-year career that included stops with the Celtics, Hornets and Thunder in addition to Utah. He appeared in 835 regular-season games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 30.7 minutes per contest. After struggling to see minutes with the Thunder following a midseason trade in 2023-24 before becoming a free agent this offseason, Hayward is opting to step away from the game rather than looking to catch on with a contender in a back-end rotation role.
AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE
Thunder trade guard Josh Giddey to Bulls for Alex Caruso, AP source says
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Alex Caruso, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated PressJUNE 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gordon Hayward's Wife Responds To Husband's Reduced Role On Thunder Following GM's Criticism Recent comments made by Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti set off one player's wife.
MAY 29 • OUTKICK.COM
Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Gordon Hayward Saga Solved In Game 4 The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Gordon Hayward be lackluster since joining the club at the trade deadline. Mark Daigneault revealed the...
MAY 2 • SI.COM
Struggles continue Saturday Hayward had four rebounds and one assist across eight minutes during Saturday's 106-85 victory over the Pelicans in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Impact Hayward continues to be nothing more than a depth piece for the Thunder, logging just eight minutes in the victory. While he does provide the team with a veteran presence, Hayward is not viewed as a key on-court piece.
APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE
Back to bench Hayward will return to a reserve role in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Mavericks, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Impact With Josh Giddey back in the starting lineup, Hayward will come off the bench. The veteran forward has averaged 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 16.2 minutes in 22 games off the bench this season.
APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE
Quiet in spot start Hayward posted six points (3-4 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes during Friday's 125-107 victory over Milwaukee.
Impact Hayward moved into the starting lineup, replacing Josh Giddey who was a late scratch due to a hip issue. Despite the promotion, Hayward failed to produce anything of note, continuing a disappointing trend. At this stage, his value to the team can be measured only in real life as opposed to fantasy.
APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE
Enters starting lineup Hayward will start Friday's game against the Bucks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Impact Josh Giddey is out with a hip issue, so the Thunder will turn to the veteran. In 24 appearances with the Thunder, Hayward holds averages of 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE
Pops for 18 in return Hayward accumulated 18 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), one rebound and one steal in 20 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 127-89 victory over the Spurs.
Impact The veteran forward had missed the prior two games with a tibia injury, but Hayward came out firing Wednesday and produced his best scoring effort in a Thunder jersey, and his most productive game since he dropped 20 points on the Heat back on Dec. 13. Hayward has been a solid addition to OKC's second unit, but his minutes and usage don't make a repeat performance likely over the final two games of the regular season.
APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE
Will play Wednesday Hayward (leg) will play Wednesday against the Spurs, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Impact Hayward is back after a two-game absence and should resume his usual role off the bench, operating with minutes in the teens. He's not the most attractive target in most formats.
APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE
Iffy for Wednesday Hayward (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs.
Impact Hayward is in danger of missing his third straight contest Wednesday due to a left posterior tibialis strain. If the veteran forward is ruled out, Aaron Wiggins will likely continue to receive increased playing time.
APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Tuesday Hayward (lower leg) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Kings.
Impact Hayward will miss a second straight game due to a left posterior tibia strain. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday versus the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quadriceps) isn't listed on the Thunder's injury report for Tuesday, while Jalen Williams (ankle) is questionable.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Unavailable Sunday Hayward (lower leg) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Charlotte.
Impact Hayward will miss his first contest since initially suiting up for the Thunder on Feb. 22. He has failed to capitalize of late even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) and Jalen Williams (ankle) both amid multi-game absences, as Hayward is averaging just 4.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 17.0 minutes while shooting 41.7 percent from the field across his last three games.
APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable vs. Charlotte Hayward (lower leg) is questionable to face the Hornets on Sunday.
Impact Hayward departed Friday's game against the Pacers due to left lower leg soreness, and the same injury might keep him sidelined Sunday, but the Thunder will wait until Sunday to determine if he can recover. If that's not the case, then Kenrich Williams could be in line to have a more significant role and could even start in Hayward's place.
APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE
Won't return Friday Hayward won't return to Friday's game against the Pacers due to left lower leg soreness, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports. He finished with seven points (2-3 FG, 3-3 FT)...
Impact Hayward moved into the starting lineup for Friday with the Thunder being shorthanded, but he was unfortunate to pick up an injury. Kenrich Williams started the second half in his place and could have a sizable role in the short term.
APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE
Draws start Friday Hayward is starting Friday's game against Indiana, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Impact Hayward came off the bench in his last 11 appearances, but he'll return to the starting lineup Friday since Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace are retreating to the bench. In his lone start since joining the Thunder, Hayward logged nine points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 30 minutes during a loss to the Pacers on March 12.
APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE
Unproductive in loss Hayward ended with zero points (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 135-100 loss to the Celtics.
Impact Since being traded to the Thunder on Feb. 8, Hayward has struggled to make a real impact, averaging 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes on 38.8 percent from the field. Prior to the trade, the 34-year-old averaged 14.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 31.9 minutes, as well as shooting a more respectable 46.8 percent from the field. Hayward should not be expected to provide any fantasy relevance, buried behind Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams.
APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE
OKC Thunder: Gordon Hayward Settling Into Bench Role The Thunder’s trade deadline acquisition has taken some time to get comfortable, but his recent play is an encouraging sign.
MARCH 17 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
OKC Thunder: Gordon Hayward Settling Into Bench Role The Thunder’s trade deadline acquisition has taken some time to get comfortable, but his recent play is an encouraging sign.
MARCH 17 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Moves back to bench role Hayward is not in the starting lineup to face the Mavericks on Thursday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Impact Hayward will return to his regular bench role with Jalen Williams (ankle) back in the starting lineup. Hayward is averaging just 4.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.4 steals per game since making his Thunder debut on Feb. 22.
MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE
Gordon Hayward Heaps Praise on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Gordon Hayward heap praise on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander following Wednesday’s practice.
MARCH 13 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Gordon Hayward Looking to Play 'Best Ball in April'; Details Adapting to OKC Thunder The 33-year-old could provide a bigger role in April as the Thunder moves back into the playoffs.
MARCH 13 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Gets starting nod Hayward is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Pacers, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Impact Hayward will replace Jalen Williams (ankle) in the starting lineup Tuesday. Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes across his 25 starts this season, all of which came for the Hornets.
MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE
