Greg Oden will likely miss the rest of the season

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will likely miss the rest of the season after fracturing his left knee cap against Houston on Saturday night.

Oden will undergo surgery, the Trail Blazers said.

The 7-foot center dropped to the floor clutching his left knee and grimacing after colliding with a driving Aaron Brooks midway through the first quarter.

He was almost immediately surrounded by trainers and physicians. The crowd at the Rose Garden stood and chanted "Oden! Oden!"

The game was stopped for some 7 minutes. Finally, Oden was gently moved to a stretcher and wheeled from the court. He underwent an MRI shortly thereafter.

"I'm obviously disappointed having worked so hard to get to where I was. This is a setback but I'll be back. It's in God's hands now," the statement said. "I want to thank the fans, my teammates and everyone in the Blazers family for all of their good thoughts."