Yao Ming’s sore ankle turned out to be a hairline fracture in his foot, and he’s out for the rest of the playoffs.
The Houston center limped off the court late in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 108-94 victory over the Rockets on Friday night. Yao missed Saturday’s practice to get treatment and the team said the 7-foot-6 All-Star would be re-evaluated on Sunday.
But the Rockets announced later Saturday night that further examination of Yao’s injury revealed a hairline fracture. The Rockets say Yao will need 8-12 weeks to recover, though no surgery is required.
This news puts a damper on what was shaping up to be a good series between the Lakers and the Rockets. I don’t see Houston keeping up with Kobe and Co. without their big man.