Yao Out 6 Weeks with Fractured Knee
A story making headlines from Houston to Shanghai, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will miss at least six weeks after breaking a bone under his right knee in Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.  While Yao was going for a block, he landed on top of teammate Chuck Hayes and Clipper Tim Thomas.  His massive leg got caught under Tim Thomas and immediately, Yao began to grimace like in the photo to the right.  Yao was having the his most productive season yet averaging 27 points and 9 rebounds.  Rockets guard Rafer Alston said of the big man's injury, "That's our guy.  You're talking about a guy who's on an MVP pace, a guy that's been carrying this team for the last two seasons. That hurts."  It does.  Houston was off to a good start in a tough Western Conference and now will have to stay competitive without their all-star center.  Yao's fractured knee is the latest in a string of bad injuries for the big guy.  Last December Yao had surgery for a toe infection and in April, he ended his season four games early with a broken foot.  The Rockets lost the game 98-93 and after the game Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said, "We got a major break when Yao went down."  Kind of a dick thing to say.  I've always thought Yao hits the floor more than your average player.  Any big man that falls as much as he will be prone to injuries.  Yao is expected to return to the Rockets' roster in mid to late February.

•AP: Yao Has Knee Injury