By Mike James, Los Angeles Times –
LOS ANGELES — An MRI exam Tuesday revealed that Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups has a torn left Achilles’ tendon. Billups, who was injured in Monday’s overtime victory over the Magic in Orlando, Fla., will be out at least eight months, ending his season.
Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro revealed Billups’ status to Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers during a lunch interview. Del Negro had gotten the news from Clippers trainer Jasen Powell by phone.
Billups, 35, was a key figure in the Clippers’ rise to second place in the NBA’s Western Conference this season. He teamed with point guard Chris Paul to form an extremely talented backcourt for the Clippers, who are enjoying one of their most successful starts in franchise history.
They lead the Pacific Division at 15-7 and have won the first two games of their six-game road trip.
Billups fell to the court midway through the fourth quarter of Monday’s game and had to be helped from the arena. He was unable to put weight on his left leg.
Billups was averaging 15 points and four assists this season and playing about 30 minutes a game. It is not yet clear what the guard rotation will be without Billups, though the roles of Randy Foye and Mo Williams will probably be expanded.
