Nuggets Lose Williams

Already off to an 0-4 start, things grew worse for the Denver Nuggets when they learned that leading scorer Eric Williams probably will miss the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament.

Williams, who signed a $26 million contract after being acquired in an off-season trade with Boston, tore a ligament in his right knee in Denver’s loss Friday.

Williams left the game after bumping knees with a Utah player in the third quarter, but returned to play 13 more minutes. A MRI on Saturday revealed the tear.

“I just feel terrible for Eric,” Nuggets coach Bill Hanzlik said. “The thing that is so crushing is that Eric was playing so good. He was having a great year and the system really fit for him.”

Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds under Denver’s up-tempo offense. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Johnny Newman.

On the courts

Shaquille O’Neal, playing in just his second game of the season, had 27 points and 19 rebounds as the unbeaten Lakers overpowered winless Golden State 132-97.

O’Neal finished 10 of 17 from the field and 7 of 12 from the foul line while playing 29 minutes.

Blue Edwards scored eight points in overtime, including a key 3-pointer with 3:06 left, as host Vancouver defeated Detroit 104-96, extending the Pistons’ losing streak to four games. Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies.