PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland center Greg Oden was taken off the court on a stretcher after an apparent knee injury in the first quarter of the Trail Blazers’ game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.

Oden dropped to the floor clutching his left knee after colliding with a driving Aaron Brooks with 5:45 remaining in the first quarter.
Oden stayed on the ground for about 5 minutes while being attended to by trainers. He never stood up under his own power before being carted off.
The No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, Oden missed the entire 2007-08 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. The 7-footer is averaging 11.7 points and 8.8 rebounds this season.