NBA: Nets guard Lin likely to miss rest of season

Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin is expected to miss the remainder of the NBA season after suffering a serious knee injury.

Lin ruptured the patella tendon of the right knee as he drove to the basket during the fourth quarter of Brooklyn's 140-131 season-opening loss at Indiana on Wednesday. He had to be helped off the court before limping to the locker room.

"We feel awful that the injury will cost him the season,"

Nets general manager Sean Marks said on Thursday. "However, our entire organization will be there to support Jeremy in every way possible throughout his recovery. Jeremy remains an important part of this team and will continue to contribute in a leadership role."

File photo of Jeremy Lin /AFP photo

Lin, who had 18 points and four assists in 25 minutes against the Pacers before the injury, is in the second season of a three-year deal worth 36 million US dollars.

"Gods ALWAYS faithful and in control," he tweeted after the game.

Lin, 29, was the first American of Chinese ancestry to play in the NBA.

In early 2012, he sparked the New York Knicks on a seven-game win streak when moved from a reserve role to the starting lineup, a run known as "Linsanity" but a season that also ended early as Lin underwent left knee surgery in March of that year.

(AFP)