Bobcats starting center Primoz Brezec was held out of Charlotte's game against the New Jersey Nets because of a sore left Achilles' heel.

Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said Brezec tried to practice during the morning shootaround, but there was too much pain.

"He was really grimacing," Bickerstaff said. "Primo needs this break as much as anybody here. We need to lock him up in a house somewhere so he can't get to a gym."

Brezec vowed to be ready when the Bobcats return to action from the All-Star break.

"Just one game," Brezec said. "Just one game, that's all I'm going to miss. It's been bothering me two weeks already but last game [on Monday against Portland] was the worst."

The Bobcats were already without three other big men in Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace and Sean May.

Brezec came in averaging 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. Jake Voskuhl replaced Brezec in the lineup after missing Monday night's game with the flu.