SRB - Krstic blow for Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD (EuroBasket 2007) - Serbia center Nenad Krstic has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, ending his season with the New Jersey Nets and putting in doubt his chances of playing at EuroBasket 2007.

Krstic suffered the injury in Friday's 99-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He collapsed and clutched the knee before being helped off the court.

"I went to spin, my knee twisted and I heard a pop," said Krstic, who will undergo surgery at an unspecified date. "I just heard a pop."

Krstic did not return to the bench and left the arena on crutches.

"He is such a good kid, forget the fact that he is a really good player," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "Your heart goes out to him."

The injury will be particularly frustrating for Krstic given that he sat out the FIBA World Championship in Japan this summer specifically to rest ahead of the NBA season.

At 7ft, Krstic has been a force in the paint this season for the Nets, complementing the talents of guards Jason Kidd and Vince Carter and forward Richard Jefferson. 

He is averaging career highs in points (16.9), rebounds (6.9) and assists (1.8) in 25 games.

Earlier this month, Krstic joined fellow NBA players Darko Milicic and Peja Stojokovic in committing himself to play for Serbia at the EuroBasket in 2007.

Since then, New Orleans Hornets forward Stojakovic has undergone surgery on a knee injury which is expected to keep him out until February.

PA Sport