SEATTLE -- New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul was carried off the floor Tuesday night against the SuperSonics in severe pain with a sprained right ankle.
Paul, last season's rookie of the year, turned the ankle while landing his foot onto the left foot of Seattle center Johan Petro in the open floor on a Hornets fast break with about 90 seconds left in the first quarter. Paul hopped through the lane and then collapsed beyond the baseline while screaming "Ohhh!" repeatedly and grabbing his ankle.
He then rolled around on his back in pain as play continued momentarily. Once play stopped, the entire Hornets roster and coaching staff rushed to surround Paul in a semicircle while trainers attended to him.
After a few moments on his back, Paul was carried directly into the nearby visitors' locker room by teammate Tyson Chandler.
The Hornets announced at halftime that X-rays were negative. Though his status for Wednesday night's game at Portland was unknown, Paul's reaction and his teammates' obvious concern suggested he may be out a while.
Paul entered as the Hornets' leader with 18.9 points and nine assists per game. He had 13 double-doubles on the season, five in his last seven games. He had six points and seven assists Tuesday.
He averaged 16.1 points and 7.8 assists while winning rookie of the year last season, then helped the United State to the bronze medal in the world championships in Japan before this season.
The Hornets were already missing three of their top six players to injuries: Bobby Jackson (cracked left rib), Peja Stojakovic (back surgery) and David West (right elbow).
That sucks, that's the last thing that team needs, their shooting is already so inefficient. 