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Rockets lose Yao with fractured bone

Six minutes into the game on Saturday, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming went up for a blocked shot attempt. When he landed, he found his knee caught beneath two Los Angeles Clippers players. The prognosis: Yao fractured the bone under his right knee and will sit out six weeks as the bone recovers with no surgery needed. The Clippers went on to win the game 98-93.

The Rockets were ahead 14-12 at the time Yao fell screaming in pain. They have already been playing without All Star Tracy McGrady who has missed the past seven games due to back pains. The two team-mates have missed a total of 60 games last season to injuries. This season, Yao has been playing the best basketball so far in his NBA career, scoring an average of 27 points per game and grabbing 9 rebounds.

With Yao and T-Mac out, Shane Battier led the Rockets with 28 points and six rebounds. The Clippers were led by Tim Thomas with 21 points and Chris Kaman with 15 and 11 rebounds. Houston`s record is 16-11 after the loss, which is enough for third in their division and sixth in the Western conference.