Houston's Yao out for season

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will miss the rest of the season because of the stress fracture in his left ankle.

The Rockets announced the decision Friday, a day after the injury was found in an MRI exam. Team physician Walter Lowe said surgery is the usual treatment for such an injury, which has sidelined Yao since Nov. 10.

The 30-year-old Yao is still consulting with doctors to determine how he will proceed. If he chooses surgery, it could be up to 10 months before he can return to the court.

The seven-time All-Star sat out last season after reconstructive surgery to repair his broken left foot. Lowe said this injury is related to last year's injury. He said the reconstructive surgery on his foot does not put him at a greater risk of stress fractures, but that Yao has always been prone to them.

Yao's reconstructive surgery was to make the foot flatter and help distribute the stresses.

"When you look at the course of Yao's career, stress fractures have been part of his foot," Lowe said. "So to say he's not at a risk to continue to have stress fractures would be crazy. So he is at a continued risk. The new position of his foot should ... make those stresses lower."

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said he is hopeful that Yao will recover and play for the team in the future, despite the latest setback.

Rockets 103, Grizzlies 87: Kevin Martin scored 34 points to lift Houston past visiting Memphis.

Heat 113, Knicks 91: LeBron James had 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to finish with his 30th career triple-double, leading Miami at New York for its 11th straight win.

Thunder 102, Kings 87: Kevin Durant scored 24 points and host Oklahoma City beat Sacramento.

Pacers 108, Cavaliers 99: At Indianapolis, Danny Granger had 30 points and 12 rebounds to help Indiana hand Cleveland its 10th straight loss.

Trail Blazers 107, Timberwolves 102: Lamarcus Aldridge had 36 points and host Portland beat Minnesota.

Mavericks 106, Suns 91: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry scored 18 points apiece and host Dallas beat Phoenix.

Hornets 100, Jazz 71: David West scored 23 points and host New Orleans beat Utah.

Lakers 93, 76ers 81: Lamar Odom scored 28 points, Pau Gasol had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Los Angeles won at Philadelphia.

Raptors 98, Nets 92: Andrea Bargnani had 32 points, leading Toronto past visiting New Jersey.

Hawks 90, Bobcats 85: Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Marvin Williams scored 16 points apiece, leading Atlanta past visiting Charlotte.

Clippers 109, Pistons 88: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Blake Griffin had 24 points and 17 rebounds, leading Los Angeles past Detroit.