Trail Blazers' Aldridge sprains ankle

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge has left the Trail Blazers' game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a left ankle sprain.

The Blazers say he is doubtful to return.

Aldridge left the court with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter. A short time later, guard Brandon Roy left the court during a timeout, presumably to check on Aldridge.

Aldridge was averaging 16.3 points and eight rebounds going into Wednesday night's game.

The Blazers have been beset by injuries this season. Centers Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla are out for the season, while forwards Nicolas Batum (shoulder), Travis Outlaw (left foot) and Rudy Fernandez (back) are all sitting with injuries.

Garnett sits out against Suns with hyperextended knee

Kevin Garnett will join fellow Celtics' star Paul Pierce in missing tonight's game against the Suns, coach Doc Rivers announced before the game.

Garnett has a hyperextended knee, which Rivers says Garnett injured Sunday night in a loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. He says the injury is unrelated to the right knee injury Garnett suffered late last season that forced him to miss Boston's entire playoff run.

"Somebody said, 'Are you being too cautious?' Probably, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," Rivers said, adding that the Celtics' schedule provides the best time to rest him.

"That makes it tough because of the guys we have out. When you Kevin and Paul out, that hurts you a little bit."

Garnett will almost certainly miss Saturday's home game vs. Toronto, which Pierce is also expected to miss.

The Celtics then have four days between games, so Rivers suggested it's possible the pair could return on Jan. 6 at Miami.

Also, point guard Rajon Rondo is struggling with a hamstring injury.

"I'm far more concerned by that than Kevin's (injury)," Rivers said. "A hamstring is a tough injury. He strained it a little bit. If I see anything in the (Suns') game, he's out, too."