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Lin breaks down after heartbreaking knee injury

Brooklyn Nets star Jeremy Lin could be facing a second consecutive season on the sidelines after suffering a possible ACL tear in the season opener.

Lin drove to the basket before he was hit by two Pacers defenders.

He landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his knee.

Cameras captured the heartbreaking moment he realised something was seriously wrong with his right knee.

He could be heard saying, "I'm done," while refusing assistance from teammates.

Lin breaks down. Pic: YES
Lin breaks down. Pic: YES

Watch in the video at the top of the page.

It's the second serious leg injury of the opening two days of the NBA season, after Boston Celtics star Gordon Hayward suffered a badly broken ankle against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Just minutes into the first game of the season, the Celtics recruit went up for an alley-oop but came down awkwardly and broke his left leg.

As Hayward leapt to corral the pass from ex-Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, Cleveland star LeBron James rotated over to try to break up the play. Hayward got caught in the air between James and Crowder, and landed awkwardly and very, very hard on his left leg.

Players were visibly distraught. Image: TNT
Players were visibly distraught. Image: TNT

TNT announcer Kevin Harlan immediately recoiled at the play, saying “Oh my goodness, Hayward broke his leg.”

The other players on the court all immediately reacted in shock as they watched the 27-year-old writhe in pain in the lane, his left leg gnarled in a horrifyingly unnatural position.

Hayward left the court on a stretcher. Image: Getty
Hayward left the court on a stretcher. Image: Getty

Coaches and trainers raced over to his side. Fans at Quicken Loans Arena coalesced into a stunned murmur. Players from both teams knelt on the court.

“And that is how quickly a season can change,” Harlan said.

With Ball Don't Lie