In the second quarter of their duel with the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward left the game with a right knee injury.

Per Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the Celtics veteran suffered a right knee contusion and was not deemed to return to the game.

Below is the clip of the incident. Celtics big man Daniel Theis inadvertently hit Hayward's right knee after a scramble. Hayward's knee was directly hit, causing the contusion.

In 17 minutes of action, Hayward chipped in seven points, one rebound, and two assists. The 29-year-old has been relatively healthy thus far. He entered Monday's game averaging 17.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 33.6 minutes in 42 games (42 starts). He seems to have fully recovered from the gruesome leg injury he suffered two seasons ago.

Hayward has been a key part of the Celtics' success this season. They currently sport a 41-18 record for third in the East. Critics are now pleased with their performance given the talent they possess. Together with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Kemba Walker, Hayward forms part of the core group of the Brad Stevens-led basketball club.

Hayward is currently in the second year of his four-year, $128 million contract. It will expire after next season, but he can opt-out and enter free agency a year ahead of time. However, rumors reveal that the Celtics are bent on having Hayward don the legendary Green and White jerseys for a long time. As such, Celtics fans should expect the forward to remain in the organization's quest for another title.