Julius Randle hurt in Lakers' opener

— -- Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Julius Randle, the team's top draft choice in June, was carted off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious right leg injury midway through the fourth quarter Tuesday night against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers said Randle was undergoing X-rays but was believed to have a broken tibia.

TNT reported on its broadcast that the Lakers medical staff said Randle had broken his leg.

Randle, the 19-year-old former Kentucky standout selected seventh overall in June, was driving to the basket when his right foot buckled and he collapsed on the court, holding his leg for several minutes while medical officials tended to him.

The Staples Center crowd fell quiet as a stretcher was brought out and Randle's teammates huddled around him beneath the basket. Lakers star Kobe Bryant shook his head in disbelief.