Rookie Breaks Leg in NBA Debut

In his NBA debut, Julius Randle, the first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, broke a leg–literally.

Sad moment, watched Kobe Bryant cradle Julius Randle’s head, as Randle said to Kobe, “[expletive] hurts man. It hurts”

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 29, 2014

Rough RT @DuranSports: Randle’s mom is in town for her son’s 1st NBA game.

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 29, 2014

Damn I didn’t wanna see the young boy go down like that! Prayers up @j30_randle! Trust the process God got you!

— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) October 29, 2014

I had the same injury as @J30_RANDLE – he’ll recover fine. #StayStrong

— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) October 29, 2014

The injury occurred on a Randle drive to the basket late in the game. Randle’s leg didn’t come into contact with any but his own. He collapsed and writhed in pain as the Staples Center audience quieted.

The Lakers say Randle broke his tibia. The team expects him to miss the remainder of his rookie season.

The power forward out of Kentucky scored two points in fourteen minutes of play in his NBA debut. The Houston Rockets defeated Los Angeles 108-90 in the season opener.