Yao fractures bone in knee, will miss 6 weeks

The injury occurred with 6:17 left in the first quarter. Yao leapt for a blocked shot while under the basket, but Tim Thomas and Chuck Hayes fell to the court and rolled over Yao’s right knee. The 7-foot-6 center crumpled to the floor, clutching his right knee in pain.

Yao was helped off of the floor and taken to a local hospital for an MRI test, which revealed the nature of his injury.

It has been a rough year for the Chinese star, who missed 21 games in December of 2005 and January of this year after surgery for a toe infection. He also broke his left foot in April, causing him to miss the last four games of the season.

The bone fracture interrupts a great season for Yao, who was averaging 26.8 points and 9.7 rebounds in 26 games coming into Saturday’s contest.

Houston is already without Tracy McGrady, who has missed seven straight games battling back spasms.