CHN – China’s Yao lost to injury for rest of NBA season

HOUSTON (Olympics/NBA) - The Houston Rockets have lost Yao Ming for the remainder of the season, and China’s national team may have seen their medal hopes at the Beijing Games dashed as well.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey announced at a press conference on Tuesday that Yao has a stress fracture in his left foot.

Yao , a six-time All-Star, is expected to be sidelined three to four months before starting his rehab from the injury.

The Olympics tip off on August 8.

"We're hopeful that Yao Ming can represent his country in the Olympics," Morey said.

"But at this point, all we can be is hopeful. We know it's important to Yao Ming and the Rockets that he can represent his country."

China national team coach Jonas Kazlauskas is to begin working out with the players whose seasons have finished next month.

The setback is a horrible one for the Rockets (36-20), who are riding an NBA-best 12-game winning streak.

"It's obviously a difficult day for our organization and our fans," Morey said. "We've been playing exceptional ball. Yao's been a huge part of that."

Yao had been enjoying his best season and had just represented the Rockets at the All-Star Game, where he made his sixth appearance.

Rockets team physician Tom Clanton said Yao could undergo surgery, which would involve placing screws across the bone between his ankle and foot to hold it together.

The recovery time from surgery is expected to be four months.

Yao's other option is treat the left foot with a cast and crutches. That approach would take between three to four months.

Houston say Yao is seeking a second opinion before deciding what his treatment should be.

"It is not an injury we feel he can play with," Clanton said.

"I've made the recommendation that it be treated surgically and we are working with him to get other opinions just to be certain that that is indeed what should be done."

FIBA