A day after game is cut short (8)
I believe the answer is:
abridged
'is cut short' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a day after game' is the wordplay.
'day' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for day).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'game' becomes 'bridge' (card game).
'd' after 'bridge' is 'bridged'.
'a'+'bridged'='ABRIDGED'
(Other definitions for abridged that I've seen before include "Shortened as book may be" , "Cut short - big adder (anag)" , "Abbreviated, contracted" , "Epitomised" , "Shorter" .)