Spurs face injury scare as season nears

The San Antonio Spurs have more injury concerns with a little more than a week remaining until the regular season.

Starting point guard Dejounte Murray’s knee buckled and he crashed to the court Sunday in a preseason loss to the Houston Rockets. He will undergo an MRI exam on Monday.

Murray was driving to the basket against Rockets guard James Harden on a fast break when his knee gave. The third-year player remained on the court for several minutes writhing in pain. Spurs officials brought out a wheelchair to take him off the court, but Murray refused, rising to his feet amid a raucous cheer from the San Antonio fans. Murray tested his knee in front of the Spurs’ bench before heading to the locker room with team officials.

It was the second injury in the last two games for the Spurs, who lost rookie Lonnie Walker IV to torn cartilage in his right knee and will miss at least six weeks.

Coach Gregg Popovich didn’t have an update on Murray, who took over the starting point guard job from Tony Parker last season.

On the other side, the Rockets are getting healthier. P.J. Tucker started at forward after missing the first two games with a sore back and had 19 points and seven rebounds. That moved Carmelo Anthony to a reserve role, and he responded with 12 points and six boards.

Harden scored 21 points to lead seven Rockets in double figures. He also had nine assists, as did Chris Paul.

ROCKETS: Paul had 11 points and eight rebounds, though shot only 4 for 13 . ... Gerald Green scored 13 points . ... The Rockets were 17 for 53 on 3-pointers.

SPURS: Rudy Gay scored 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting . ... LaMarcus Aldridge was only 5 for 15 for 10 points, adding seven rebounds. /