Paul Pierce eventually leaves Hornets game after knee injury scare

Can the Wizards get through one game without an injury scare? I guess not.

This time, it's Paul Pierce who went down with what appeared to be a leg or knee injury in the closing seconds of the first half against the Hornets. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ran into his knee trying to defend a pick and roll and Pierce stayed down for a while before limping to the locker room on his own power with the team's training staff trailing him.

Pierce stayed in the game for a period in the third quarter, but later left for good. I don't think this is serious, but who knows. The Wizards say he was just getting a head start on treatment and he'll be OK.

A Pierce injury would obviously be devastating given that Bradley Beal is already hurt. The Wizards are woefully thin on the wing with Martell Webster out and Glen Rice Jr. nursing an ankle injury. They need Pierce healthy, even if Otto Porter looks capable of stepping in with his preseason play.

We'll keep you updated on Pierce's status throughout the night and beyond.