Hornets F West leaves game

May 16, 2008 - 3:17 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- New Orleans Hornets forward David West aggravated his back early in the fourth quarter of Thursday's playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The injury occurred with the Spurs holding a 21-point lead in Game Six of the Western Conference semifinals and moving closer to forcing a decisive Game Seven in New Orleans on Monday.

West, who suffered a pinched nerve in Game Five, took a hard pick from behind by San Antonio forward Robert Horry. He then fell face-first to the floor and was taken to the locker room in obvious pain.

Prior to the injury, West scored just 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting after posting playoff career highs with 38 and 14 rebounds in Tuesday's Game Five.