Nets forward Yi Jianlian leaves game against Knicks in first quarter with sprained left ankle

Nets’ Yi leaves game with sprained left ankle

NEW YORK — Yi Jianlian sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of the Nets’ game against the Knicks on Saturday night and did not return.

Yi was hurt with 2:56 left when he appeared to step on a New York player’s foot while running back into defensive rebounding position. A team spokesman said X-rays on the forward from China were negative.

Yi scored three points on 1 of 4 shooting before he was hurt. The Nets did not say how long he will be out.