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McGrady's layup leads Rockets past Lakers
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-19 11:51

Bryant picked up his second foul with 6:16 left in the first quarter, putting him on the bench for the rest of the period. Los Angeles led 9-8 when Bryant left, and 14-12 entering the second quarter. The Rockets shot 4-of-18 and the Lakers 4-of-16 in the opening period.

Houston Rockets Tracy McGrady celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of their NBA game in Los Angeles December 18, 2005. The Rockets won 76-74 and McGrady was the high scorer with 20 points.
Houston Rockets Tracy McGrady celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of their NBA game in Los Angeles December 18, 2005. The Rockets won 76-74 and McGrady was the high scorer with 20 points. [Reuters]
Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said before the game that he didn't know when Yao will return.

"It's not a one-game thing," Van Gundy said. "It will probably be a multiple-game thing, whatever that is. We'll know more after he sees the doctor.

"He doesn't miss much. So when he misses, he's hurt."

Yao who had played in 266 of a possible 268 regular-season games, flew home before the game and will be checked out Monday. He is averaging 19.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.36 blocked shots.

Yao misses game, sidelined indefinitely

LOS ANGELES - All-Star Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets missed his first game of the season and the third of his NBA career Sunday night because of a sore right big toe that will sideline him indefinitely.

"It's not a one-game thing," coach Jeff Van Gundy said before the Rockets met the Los Angeles Lakers in the finale of a six-game road trip. "It will probably be a multiple-game thing, whatever that is. We'll know more after he sees the doctor.

"He doesn't miss much. So when he misses, he's hurt."

Yao returned home before Sunday night's game. He has had a problem with his right big toe for some time, missing two preseason games because it was bothering him.

The 25-year-old center has played in 266 regular-season games since joining the Rockets in 2002. Houston returns to action Wednesday night at home against Toronto.

"We can still win," Van Gundy said. "Obviously, your chances are better when you have your better players."

Yao, the leading vote-getter after the first set of returns for this season's All-Star game, had 22 points and seven rebounds in an 89-81 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday that snapped Houston's five-game winning streak. He is averaging 19.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.36 blocked shots.

The Rockets are also without injured guards Rafer Alston, Jon Barry, Bob Sura and Derek Anderson.

"If you have Tracy McGrady on your team and play really hard and smart, you can be in games," Van Gundy said.

The Rockets are 0-8 without McGrady this season. McGrady was averaging 25.1 points in 14 games before Sunday night.
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