Lakers rookie Randle breaks leg in NBA debut

LOS ANGELES, USA – Injury woes mounted for the Los Angeles Lakers as rookie forward Julius Randle broke his leg in his first National Basketball Association game Tuesday night.

With just under 7 minutes to play in a blowout 108-90 Houston Rockets win, Randle fell hard after a drive to the lane, breaking his tibia, the Lakers announced.

The Lakers, who lost Kobe Bryant to injury for all but 6 games of last season, had already been hit with injuries even before Randle got hurt. Future hall of famer Steve Nash is expected to miss the entire season, possibly ending his career with a back injury.

Randle, the number seven overall pick in the NBA entry draft, was stretchered off the court after being treated by doctors, who put his leg in an air cast.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Randle was one-for-three from the floor for two points in 13 minutes of playing time.

Lakers teammates including Bryant readily backed up the rookie who was promptly transferred to a hospital.

Kobe on what he told Randle after his injury: “I just told him to keep his spirits up.” pic.twitter.com/ytne6NraOK

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 29, 2014

Carlos Boozer sums up everyone in the locker room’s feelings: “Our hearts go out to him.”

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 29, 2014

Kobe says the team is there for Randle: “That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to pick him up and get him through it.”

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 29, 2014

– Rappler.com