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All-Star forward David Lee of the Warriors is out for the season after injuring his hip during Golden State's 97-95 loss to Denver in Game 1 of their opening playoff series.
"Unfortunate, especially for a guy that's worked so hard and put himself in position and put us in the position that we're in today. ... But the task is still at hand so we move forward," coach Mark Jackson said.
MRI results showed a torn right hip flexor.
"I knew last night when I did it," Lee said before the Warriors' practice Sunday. "I felt it pop. So I knew we were going to get the results we did this morning. I went run back on defense and had absolutely no sensation in my leg. It wasn't even painful as much as it was just [numb]."
Lee said doctors told him he likely won't need surgery, just a couple of months of rest and rehab. He said he hopes to be 100 percent by mid-summer and come back stronger in camp.
The injury leaves the Warriors without a key producer down low. Lee led the NBA in double-doubles with 56 this season. He averaged 18.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Celtics, Bulls are sharing digs
One New York hotel, two unhappy basketball teams.
The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls are staying at the same location this weekend. Both lost their playoff openers Saturday, the Celtics falling 85-78 to the New York Knicks and the Bulls getting routed 106-89 by the Nets in Brooklyn.
"This was a quiet, dark hotel last night. The New York-area teams didn't treat the guests very well," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Sunday.
Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant under Rivers when the Celtics won the 2008 NBA title. They still talk, and Thibodeau said his old boss invited him out Friday, but he wasn't able to go.
"Unfortunately, I missed the free dinner," Thibodeau said. "It pained me to miss it."
Neither visiting team practiced Sunday. Instead, both held meetings in the hotel, then met with reporters about 2 ½ hours apart.
"It's just not a good hotel today," Rivers said. "Two losing teams. I think one should leave."