Yao Ming, Basketball | featured news

NBA star Yao Ming announced his retirement during a news conference in China on Wednesday. "I need to make a personal decision," Yao said. "I am ending my basketball career. I am very grateful. I like to thank my family members and my parents. And the Houston Rockets."

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 Houston Rockets are still hoping Yao Ming returns next season, but they have been able to cash in on his injury.

As the NBA draft approached, the grim truth about Yao Ming’s broken left foot hung like an anvil over the Houston Rockets. The fear isn’t that he’s just lost for next season, but longer.