HOUSTON — Houston Rockets all-star center Yao Ming is out for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot, it was announced Tuesday.
Yao was having a terrific season, averaging 22.0 points and 10.8 rebounds.
“It is not an injury we feel he can play with,” team doctor Tom Clanton said. “I’ve made the recommendation that it be treated surgically.”
If Yao chooses surgery, Clanton said, it would involve placing screws across the bone to hold it together. The second option would be to treat it with a cast and crutches. Both options involve a healing time of about four months.
Clanton would not say when Yao could play again, but said he doesn’t expect the center to miss the Beijing Olympics in August.
“If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, it will be the biggest loss in my career,” Yao said.
The Nuggets, battling the Rockets for a playoff berth in the Western Conference, seemed numbed by the news.
“My first feeling is disappointment for the player,” coach George Karl said. “It looks like he’s had some bad luck. That will probably last for about 24 hours and then I’ll probably feel good that he’s not playing Sunday (against Denver).”
Marcus Camby noted Houston has another player around who can pick up some of the slack.
“They’ve got another superstar in Tracy McGrady,” Camby said. “He’ll probably get more shots now and he’s capable of winning games all by himself, so I’m sure they’ll still be in the thick of things.”
Denver Post staff writer Anthony Cotton contributed to this report.
