The Brooklyn Nets announced on Thursday morning that star point guard Jeremy Lin’s season is over after suffering a ruptured patella tendon during Wednesday night’s season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
Lin suffered the injury during the fourth quarter after driving to the hoop for a layup. After going up to the basket, he came down awkwardly and hit the floor, immediately clutching his knee. The serious nature of the injury was immediately apparent when he yelled out “I’m done,” laid on the floor and burst into tears.
He was assisted to the locker room and was sent for evaluations on Thursday morning where the extent of the injury was truly learned.
The 29-year-old is in his second year with the Nets after signing a three-year contract last offseason. His first season with the team was limited due to injuries, too as hamstring issues forced him out of 46 games.
D’Angelo Russell, the young guard they acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Brook Lopez trade, will likely take over starting point guard duties in Lin’s absence. Russell’s role at the 2 is expected to be filled by some combination of Caris LeVert or Sean Kilpatrick.
The Nets’ backcourt was supposed to be the most exciting aspect of their team this season with Russell joining up Lin. But it only looks like more disappointment awaits a franchise that has won just 41 games over the past two seasons.
