Spurs' forward diagnosed with patella fracture

According to an initial diagnosis, San Antonio Spurs forward Charles Bassey has a non-displaced fracture of his left patella, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News tweets. He’ll undergo additional testing on Wednesday.

He suffered the injury during the first half of the team’s victory over Orlando on Tuesday.

Coach Gregg Popovich said he learned of Bassey’s diagnosis at halftime, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express News tweets.

“Somebody hit me with that at halftime,” Popovich said. “Poor guy, he was just learning how to play.”

Bassey has appeared in 34 games, averaging 5.8 points and 5.7 rebounds. He had a pair of 14-point games against Houston earlier this month.

Bassey signed a four-year contract with San Antonio earlier this month, though the last two years are non-guaranteed. Bassey joined the Spurs in October on a two-way contract after being waived by the 76ers.

Bassey had a leg injury that kept him out of action for a chunk of time in January and February. He suffered a tibial plateau fracture during his college career at Western Kentucky.