Houston Rockets center Yao Ming underwent surgery Thursday to repair a stress fracture in his left ankle, a procedure he says may end his career.
The 7-foot-6 Yao has been out since Nov. 10, and played in only five games this season before the team declared him lost for the season. The seven-time All-Star missed all of last season following reconstructive foot surgery.
"I know this will be another long rehab," the 30-year-old Yao said in a statement. "But I'm looking forward to beginning my recovery. I will use this time to consider all of my options, and will make a decision regarding my career plans as I get closer to the end of my rehab."
Team doctor Tom Clanton performed the procedure in Houston.
The Rockets drafted Yao with the top overall pick in 2002, but his NBA career has been derailed by a rash of injuries, mostly to his left foot and ankle.
"You hope this is the last surgery for him," forward Shane Battier said. "Good lord. That guy's seen more hospital beds than Florence Nightingale.
"You feel terrible for him. For being such a big guy and a hard worker, he deserves a break. We hope this surgery is successful and he recovers quickly."
His contract with Houston expires after this season, and the Rockets are still awaiting word from the league if they'll be granted a disabled player salary exception for Yao. That would allow Houston to acquire a free agent, or trade for a player without having to match salaries, up to the value of the midlevel exception (about $5.75 million).
The Rockets carefully monitored his minutes coming into this season, but Yao was injured in Houston's 98-91 loss to the Washington Wizards on Nov. 10.
GRIZZLIES SETTLE GAMBLING GRUDGE: Memphis Grizzlies guards Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo said Thursday there are no hard feelings after they fought on a team flight over an unpaid debt from a card game.
Allen said he and Mayo shook hands and joked around as they shot together at practice Thursday, three days after the altercation Monday on a flight from Los Angeles to Memphis.
"Me, O.J. and the team, we pretty much had a whole practice on focusing on our offense and getting better with our defense," Allen said. "I pretty much think it's behind us. That's how we're looking at it at this point."
The Grizzlies said Thursday night that Allen would be fined an undisclosed amount.
Mayo said the team was focusing its game tonight against the Utah Jazz. Mayo has been suffering from bronchitis, and he missed a 110-105 win over Oklahoma City at home Tuesday night.
"There definitely was an altercation between me and T.A.," Mayo said. "By the way, that's one of my good friends on this team. So, no hard feelings amongst each other."
According to reports, Mayo owed Allen money following the card game and became increasingly angry toward Allen when asked to settle the debt.
SUNS' ROOKIE LOST FOR SEASON: Phoenix Suns rookie forward Gani Lawal has torn ligaments in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season.