This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
New Orleans power forward David West suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the final minute of regulation during the Hornets' 121-117 overtime win over the Jazz on Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena.A team spokesman said West suffered "left knee trauma" and x-rays were negative. But coach Monty Williams said after the game that the extent of West's injury won't be known until an MRI exam is performed Friday. All indications are that West's injury is major, though. Crutches were brought to New Orleans' locker room after the game, and he remained in the arena longer than normal.West, the Hornets' top scorer and No. 2 rebounder, was injured with 22.8 seconds left in the game. The Jazz owned a 103-101 lead when he drove past Al Jefferson and slammed in a lefthanded dunk.Utah's Paul Millsap came over on the play and tried to block West's shot. Millsap missed the ball, though, and the two bumped as West powered the ball through the basket. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and crashed to the floor, remaining down while the Jazz ran off a 5-on-4 play. West was then wheeled off the court with 6.7 seconds to go in regulation.
Jefferson said that West's injury "looked bad," and compared it to when he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in 2009.
"The way he landed and the way he came down reminded me how I did mine exactly," Jefferson said.
— Steve Luhm and Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @sluhm
@tribjazz