Clippers guard Chauncey Billups suffered a left Achilles' tendon injury Monday night, and there were concerns within the team it could be ruptured, which would end his season.
"It felt like somebody kicked me, man," Billups said after the game as he made his way to the team bus with crutches under both arms and a walking boot on his foot. "I don't know if it's torn, but I know it's not good."
There was a hush in the Clippers' locker room after their 107-102 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center.
Chris Paul fought back tears when asked what Billups has meant to the team.
Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro kept shaking his head, repeatedly saying how bad he felt for Billups and adding, "This is not good."
Del Negro said Billups saw Orlando's team doctor after the game and will have an MRI exam Tuesday, after the Clippers arrive in Cleveland, to determine the severity of the injury.
The injury occurred midway through the fourth quarter. Billups fell to the court as he tried to change directions while chasing the ball after missing a three-point attempt. There was no contact with another player.
"Whenever that happens when no one is around, that's all the possibilities of a rupture," Del Negro said. "I'm sick about it."
Billups tried to sound upbeat after the game. He's 35 and in the final year of his contract, so a tear could mean not only the end of his season, but also his career.
"I was backpedaling and tried to retreat and go back forward," Billups said. "I couldn't get up. I got up one time and I fell back down. At that point, I was just trying to get out of the game. I don't know what it is. We'll find out, man, tomorrow or the next day."
Billups had scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. He'd made three three-point shots in the period and had just missed one when he was hurt.
Play continued for more than 10 seconds, with Billups lying on the court, until the Clippers called time out at the 5:48 mark, after rebounding an Orlando miss.
Billups was taken to the locker room with his arms around the shoulders of trainer Jasen Powell and teammate Randy Foye.
Paul, who had 29 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, said Billups has meant "everything" to the Clippers.
"He's the best guard I have ever started with in the backcourt since I have been in the NBA," Paul said. "I trust him with everything, on and off the court."
The Clippers had to push on without Billups in overtime, when they also lost starting center DeAndre Jordan and backup center Reggie Evans to fouls.
That left Blake Griffin defending Dwight Howard, Orlando's All-Star center, with plenty of double- and triple-team help.
The Clippers fell behind by four early in the overtime, but a three-pointer by Caron Butler, off a cross-court assist from Paul, gave them a 101-100 lead with 1:49 to play.
Paul's baseline jumper made it 103-100 with 1:16 left.
After Jason Richardson scored for Orlando, consecutive offensive rebounds by Ryan Gomes and Butler led to two Mo Williams free throws and a 105-102 lead.
"This victory is kind of bittersweet," Del Negro said. "I'm sick for [Billups], for us, but mostly for him and how much he means to us."
broderick.turner@latimes.com
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