Lakers rookie likely out for season after broken leg

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, right, sits on on a stretcher after Randle injured himself on a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) drives against Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) during the second half at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports)

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) is tended to after an injury during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports)

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) shakes hands with guard Jeremy Lin (17) after an injury during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports)

Oct 28, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) is tended to after an injury during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports)

Rookie forward Julius Randle broke the tibia bone in his right leg during the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season-opening, 108-90 loss to the Houston Rockets and underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair the fracture.

The Lakers said in an announcement that the surgery was performed by Dr. Donald Wiss at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Randle is expected to make a full recovery but miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season.

Randle was taken off the floor on a gurney on Tuesday night.

The injury occurred as Randle was driving toward the net with the ball. His right leg gave out as he was defended by two Rockets.

Randle was the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft out the University of Kentucky. As a freshman, he helped the Wildcats reach the national championship game, averaging 15 points and 10.4 rebounds.

In his regular-season pro debut Tuesday, Randle came off the bench and scored two points in 14 minutes, hitting 1 of 3 shots from the field.