Hayward suffers finger fracture, day-to-day entering season

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward suffered an avulsion fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his right hand during Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors, the team announced Wednesday.

He will miss Charlotte's preseason game Thursday against the Orlando Magic and will then be listed as day-to-day.

Hayward also missed time last season due to a similar fracture in the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. He was expected to miss six weeks but returned to the Boston Celtics in just over four after undergoing surgery.

The Hornets did not specify whether Hayward will require surgery for this issue.

Hayward, 30, agreed to a four-year, $120-million contract with Charlotte this offseason as part of a sign-and-trade with the Celtics. He's set to earn $28.5 million in 2020-21 before eventually making a guaranteed $31.5 million in 2023-24.