CHARLOTTE, N.C. — All in all, Monday proved to be a painful night for the Boston Celtics.
Not only did the Celtics have their seven-game losing streak snapped at the hands of the NBA’s worst team, but they might have suffered yet another costly injury in their 94-91 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.
Backup guard Leandro Barbosa, who has seen increased playing time since the season-ending injury to Rajon Rondo, injured his left knee late in the third quarter and had to be carried to the locker room by a trainer and teammate.
Coach Doc Rivers said Barbosa will have an MRI today.
“It doesn’t look great but we’ll see," Rivers said.
In the seven games since Rondo’s injury, Barbosa had averaged nine points while playing an average of 22.5 minutes. The Celtics had won all seven games.
All of that came crashing down Monday night.
This night belonged to Charlotte’s unheralded big man, Byron Mullens.
The four-year NBA veteran turned in a career game with 25 points and 18 rebounds as the Bobcats snapped a seven-game losing streak.
The 7-foot Mullens hit 10 of 16 shots from the field, including four of five from 3-point range. Ramon Sessions had 19 points for the Bobcats, including the go-ahead jumper from 18 feet with 25.7 seconds left.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, but missed a key 18-footer that would have given Boston the lead late in the game. Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley had chances to send the game into overtime in the final seconds, but missed open 3-pointers.
Also on Monday:
Spurs 103
Bulls 89
CHICAGO — Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 26 points and Danny Green scored 18, helping short-handed San Antonio beat Chicago without its three biggest stars — Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili were all out with injuries.
Timberwolves 100
Cavaliers 92
CLEVELAND — Luke Ridnour scored 21 points, Ricky Rubio added 13 and 10 assists and Minnesota snapped an eight-game road losing streak.
Clippers 107
76ers 90
PHILADELPHIA — Chris Paul had 21 points and 11 assists, Blake Griffin scored 20 points and the Clippers cruised past Philadelphia.
Nets 89
Pacers 84
INDIANAPOLIS — Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Brooklyn opened overtime on a 9-3 run to pull away from Indiana.
Hornets 105
Pistons 86
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ryan Anderson scored 31 points, Robin Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and New Orleans won for the third time in eight games.
Wizards 102
Bucks 90
MILWAUKEE — Rookie Brandon Beal scored a season-high 28 points to help Washington to a rare road win.
Hawks 105
Mavericks 101
DALLAS — Josh Smith had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Devin Harris made a key steal in the final minute for Atlanta.
