NBA: Kidd-Gilchrist stretchered off as Bobcats are blasted by Rockets

The 19-year-old forward left the court in a neckbrace after suffering a concussion in his side's defeat against Houston, while Tim Duncan's return to NBA action for San Antonio lasted less than a game.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is stretchered off against Houston Rockets.

Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was stretchered off the court with a concussion after a scary collision with a teammate during an NBA game against the Houston Rockets.

The 19-year-old was hurt early in the fourth quarter while attempting to block a layup by Toney Douglas. Teammate Jeff Taylor - also trying to block Douglas - appeared to catch him in the back of the head with either his hip or knee.

Kidd-Gilchrist, who was taken second overall in the 2012 draft, remained on the floor for several minutes. With teammates gathered round him, he was fitted with a neck brace, then he was carried from the court on a stretcher and later taken by ambulance to hospital for X-rays.

Some time after the game ended, the Bobcats issued a statement saying Kidd-Gilchrist was alert and had movement in all extremities before leaving the arena.

The team said he had a concussion and would remain in hospital overnight, but X-rays were negative for further head or neck injuries.

The Rockets, fueled by James Harden's first career triple-double, won the game 109-95.

Harden finished with 21 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds.

Meanwhile Tim Duncan's return to NBA action didn't last long as the San Antonio Spurs star departed in the second quarter of a 96-86 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Duncan, who had missed four games with a sore left knee, sprained his right ankle and left knee in the second quarter when Washington forward Martell Webster ran into the back of Duncan's legs fighting for a rebound. Duncan was left lying on the court clutching his troublesome left knee to the dismay of San Antonio fans.

He was helped off the court by two teammates then walked under his own power to the locker room. The severity of the injuries was not immediately known.

Tony Parker had a double-double with 19 points and 12 assists for San Antonio, who will begin an 18-day, nine-game road trip on Wednesday.

Washington's John Wall led all scorers with 21 points and also provided nine assists.

Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving bounced back from one of the lowest nights of his career to produce one of his best, pouring in 35 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-110.

After last night's loss to the Detroit Pistons, Irving, perhaps inadvertently, courted controversy by saying he became "disinterested" during the game, but tonight he scored 13 points in the last three minutes of the game to leave Oklahoma City reeling.

Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook 28, but it was not enough for the Northwest-leading Thunder.

Great Britain star Luol Deng had 25 points and 14 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls shrugged off their injury problems to beat the Atlanta Hawks 93-76.

Nate Robinson scored 20 points while Taj Gibson ad 19 points and 19 rebounds for the Bulls, who were without Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich.

JR Smith scored 25 points as the New York Knicks trounced the Sacramento Kings 120-81.

Amare Stoudemire added 21 points for the Knicks, while DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Kings.

The Orlando Magic saw their losing streak hit nine matches as the Milwaukee Bucks claimed a 107-98 win on 21 points from Monta Ellis.

Stephen Curry poured in 29 wins as the Golden State Warriors saw off the Phoenix Suns 113-93 for their fourth straight win.

The Minnesota Timberwolves saw off the New Orleans Hornets 115-86 for their first win in seven and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 99-85.

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