Los Angeles  - NBA champions Boston Celtics said Tuesday that they had lost backup forward Leon Powe for the rest of the season because of injury.

Tests revealed that Powe suffered a torn ligament in his left knee during the first half of Monday night's 118-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls in game two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

"Leon has an ACL tear and meniscus," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told the Boston Globe. "He's obviously out for the playoffs. Surgery will be determined when it's determined. So, obviously a tough break."

Powe averaged 7.7 points in 70 regular-season games this year. He averaged five points through the first two games of the Bulls series, including an eight-point, eight-rebound effort in 17 minutes in the opener.

The Celtics are already short-handed with All-Star forward Kevin Garnett out for the rest of the season with a strained right knee tendon.  (dpa)