The Boston Celtics visited the Utah Jazz on Friday night, and it marked Gordon Hayward's first game against the team that he spent his first seven NBA seasons with.

But unfortunately for Hayward, Jazz fans didn't think of the guy who led them to a pair of playoff appearances. They thought of the guy who left in free agency to sign a four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics.

Hayward was booed heavily by Jazz fans in his return to the Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Jazz fans got the last laugh, as they avoided a terrible fourth quarter collapse and managed a crucial 123-115 home victory. Hayward finished the day with 13 points, one rebound and seven assists.

With the victory, Utah moved back to the .500 mark at 6-6, while the slumping Celtics fell to 7-5. Hayward was picked on a ton defensively by the Jazz, who had a field day against the NBA's best defense.

Hayward - who was named to his first All-Star Game in 2017 - suffered a gruesome leg fracture in last year's season opener. That obviously delayed his return to Utah, bu the 28-year-old finally came home over a year after signing with Boston. Hayward has struggled with just 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

RELATED: KYRIE IRVING’S LIST OF IMPORTANT FACTORS IN RE-SIGNING WITH CELTICS INCLUDED WINNING CULTURE

Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

It was a big blow to the Jazz franchise when Hayward left Utah to reunite with former college coach Brad Steven in Boston. This small market team has struggled to find and keep All-Star players over the last two years.

Just when Hayward looked ready to be the next franchise face, he left Utah and signed the lucrative contract with Boston. The good news for the Jazz is that they're not devoid of talent, as Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell guided them to the postseason in 2018 - and they should do so again in 2019.

It may not have been the return Hayward wanted in the NBA, but that's how it usually works when a star player leaves his team to join a championship contender. LeBron James and Kevin Durant can relate to what Hayward went through last night.

NEXT: JAYLEN BROWN THINKS HE'LL WIN 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS BEFORE HE TURNS 28