----- Rodney Hood ruptures Achilles tendon as the Portland Trail Blazers fall to the Los Angeles Lakers 136-113 Friday night at Moda Center.
The Portland Trail Blazers suffered another devastating blow on Friday night.
With 3:27 to play in the first quarter, Rodney Hood went crashing to the floor and started grabbing the lower part of his left leg in obvious pain with players from both teams gathered around him. An MRI later confirmed the worst: Hood suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. The injury will require surgery and sideline him for the remainder of the season.
“I’m very sad, very disappointed for Rodney,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "He was having a good year for us. I hate for anybody to have an injury like that, that takes them out for the season. I feel for him.”
Hood now joins Zach Collins (Shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (Leg), and Pau Gasol (Foot) who all have missed extended time with significant injuries. Gasol was released due to his inability to rehab in a reasonable period of time following surgery.
“You've just got to keep going forward. We've got a season to play, and as disappointing as it is to lose players to injuries, we have a team, and we've got to keep competing and playing. You don't have any other choice," Stotts said.
The Blazers' locker room was quiet following the game with players saddened by the loss Hood.
"You hate to see one of your teammates go down to an injury like that, especially a starter, and somebody who is really a good person and having a great season, fitting in really well with our team, and a big part of what we do. You just feel for him personally more than anything,'' Damian Lillard said.
The Blazers took at 32-29 late in the first quarter, but the Lakers responded with a 29-7 run to take control of the game. Portland trailed by 15 points at halftime and by 17 heading into the fourth.
Lebron James and Anthony Davis combined for 70 points and Kyle Kuzma added 15 off the bench.
Lillard led Portland with 29 points and Anfernee Simons scored 15 off the bench.
Notes- Terry Stotts received back-to-back technical fouls in the third quarter after getting frustrated with the officials. It was the first time in his NBA career he has been ejected from a game.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers host the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday evening at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Hood's loss is crippling.