On Tuesday, April 21st, 2009, Dikembe Mutombo suffered a ruptured tendon in a game two loss to the Portland Trailblazers in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

The injury abruptly most likely ended the center’s 18-year NBA All-Star career.

The 42-year old’s left knee buckled as he fought with  21-year old Greg Oden under the basket.  Mutombo writhed in pain for several minutes and had to be taken off the floor with a stretcher.

Mutombo cried as he was examined by Portland team doctors, knowing that his career was finished. He had re-signed with the Rockets in December to chase an NBA title one last time, work with the Rockets young big men and to serve a back-up center to his friend, Yao Ming.

Mutombo was an intimidating figure on the court; based on his strong rebounding and blocked shots, Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star.  He was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times (1994-95, 1996-1998, 2000-01) and is second in NBA history in blocked shots with 3,289, after another Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon.

“You will not find a greater person anywhere.” said Houston teammare Shane Battier.

At his age coupled with the severity of the injury, Mutombo seemed resigned that he played his last NBA game:

“All I can say is I had a wonderful run,” Mutombo said. “I thank God for all of these blessing; putting great people around me all my life and my career. I’m just happy. I have to go out with my head up. No regrets, I have so many things I can be thankful for.”

Links and Resources: Mutombo stands tall as career abruptly ends (Yahoo!), Mutombo has some finger-wagging left in the tank (Interbasket).