Nets' Pierce leaves in opening minutes of game against Kings due to sore right shoulder

NEW YORK – Paul Pierce left the Brooklyn Nets' game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night after suffering a sore right shoulder in the opening minutes and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Pierce was guarding Sacramento's Jason Thompson, who was backing him into the paint and then quickly spun around Pierce for a lay-up with 10:55 left in the opening quarter.

The impact from the post-up move had Pierce clutching his shoulder and he walked off the court with a Nets trainer.

Brooklyn was already without Kevin Garnett, who has missed the last five games due to back spasms.