Raptors' Carter reinjures knee

Vince Carter drives on the Rockets' Juaquin Hawkins in the first quarter, before a knee injury forced him from the game. AP

HOUSTON (AP) -- Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter reinjured his surgically repaired knee and left Saturday night's game against the Houston Rockets in the first quarter.

Carter, who had season-ending surgery on his left knee last March, collapsed in pain at 6:17 of the first quarter. He was helped to the locker room with ice wrapped around his knee.

Carter sustained a quadriceps tendon strain and was listed as day-to-day. He will be re-examined in Toronto on Monday.

The three-time All-Star missed the final 14 games last season after having surgery to repair the "jumper's knee" that plagued him for most of the season, and some of the previous year.

The Raptors won 12 of 14 games down the stretch in Carter's absence to reach the playoffs. He vowed to return this season better than ever.

The 25-year-old Carter played through the preseason and the Raptors' first two games saying he felt no pain. He seemed to be back to his acrobatic self, throwing down a huge one-handed dunk Friday night in a loss at San Antonio.

Carter was the team's leading scorer in the first two games, averaging 18 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes.

 

Related information

Stories

Yao entertains as Rockets win home debut Raptors tie futility record with six-point fourth quarter

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video