It was the pop heard around the Western Conference, the exploding of Wesley Matthews' left ankle changing a playoff race and exposing a team and a fan base to even more sorrow.

The injury is officially a ruptured Achilles, but to the Portland Trail Blazers, it was a breaking of their heart. To the people of Oregon a punch to the gut.

How important is Wesley Matthews to the Trail Blazers?

Owner Paul Allen, moments after Matthews was carried off the court, went back to the locker room to check on him. I've watched Greg Oden's knee explode. Watched Brandon Roy hobble off the court. And seen Rudy Fernandez carted out, immobilized on a stretcher.

And never have I seen Allen move from his courtside seat.

Matthews is that type of player.

He doesn't just make three-pointers with the best of them. He makes this team.

He has an unbelievably positive attitude. Sometimes, I believe, he wills the Blazers out of slumps with his sheer belief that the Blazers are the best team in the West.

He holds teammates accountable, willing to call them out if he sees an effort, or an attitude, not meet his standards.

And he sets an admirable example with his tireless and determined work ethic. I've seen some great, hard-working professionals put on a Blazers uniform - Scottie Pippen, Joel Przybilla and Roy among them - and none of them outwork Matthews.

Few throughout the years have been as banged up as Matthews. He once played the last half of the season on an ankle the size of a grapefruit, waiting until after the season to have surgery. His elbow has been battered. His side has been bruised. And this season, he famously hyperextended his knee - elicting gasps from the Moda Center crowd - only to return later in the game, bringing a chuckle to coach Terry Stotts on the sideline.

Wesley Matthews is, quite frankly, the heart and soul of the Blazers.

And now, it no longer beats. Out for the rest of the season.

Don't let the Blazers' immediate response against Dallas on Thursday fool you. It was 40-40 when Matthews went down in the open court as if a sniper had picked him off from the balcony.

He was replaced by Arron Afflalo, and later CJ McCollum saw his first action. The Blazers from that point on blew out the Mavericks, winning 94-75.

Portland (41-19) is in third place and has an eight-game lead over Oklahoma City with 22 games left. They will win the division. And they will still be a tough team.

But they won't be as versatile defensively. Won't be as explosive offensively. And they won't be as tough mentally.

The Blazers lost more than a good player. They lost their pulse.

He is the closest friend on the team to LaMarcus Aldridge. His locker is next to Nicolas Batum, and he often offers consolation or advice to the up-and-down Batum.

He will still undoubtedly be around the team as he rehabilitates, but there's no way it will be the same.

A pop in a noisy arena. And just like that, everything changes.

--Jason Quick | jquick@oregonian.com | @jwquick