Gordon Hayward is definitely living up to the huge contract he signed with the Charlotte Hornets in the offseason. The 30-year-old swingman eclipsed 30-plus points for the second game in a row, leading Buzz City to a thrilling 107-104 victory over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Sunday.
Apart from recording a game-high 39 points and nine rebounds, the one-time All-Star iced the game with a driving left-handed beauty.
GORDON HAYWARD WINS THE GAME ♨️ pic.twitter.com/geEFFCm2Rm
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 25, 2021
The usually calm and composed Gordon Hayward couldn't help but get all fired up after his game-winner, which put the Hornets back into the win column. He shot 15-for-25 from the field and 5-of-8 from distance in 38 minutes.
Great to get back in the win column! #AllFly pic.twitter.com/w8laljZNSr
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 25, 2021
Prior to Sunday's road game against the Magic, Hayward also put up 36 points in the Hornets' loss to the Chicago Bulls. The 6-foot-7 swingman missed Charlotte's first match with the Toronto Raptors last week with a bad hip, but he has returned with a vengeance since. He has scored a combined 98 points over the last three games.
The Hornets brass, who has a history of overpaying free agents in the past, gave Hayward a lucrative four-year, $120 million deal before the start of the 2020-21 season. This move was heavily criticized by some pundits, especially after the former Butler standout's lackluster stint with the Boston Celtics. Now back healthy for the first time in years, Hayward is proving he is still a top player worthy of the big bucks in this league.
He was averaging 23.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3,7 assists and 1.3 steal heading to Sunday's game. These numbers will certainly go higher following yet another masterful scoring display against the Magic.
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