[onlooker]

Is this any real surprise to anyone? That back is going to cut his career short.

Back injury could sideline McGrady five weeks

HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady could miss up to five weeks with another back injury.

The 6-foot-8 McGrady has been sidelined with back problems three different times this season and missed a total of 15 games. The Rockets are 2-13 without McGrady, their leading scorer.

McGrady was examined on Friday in Los Angeles by renowned back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. His latest injury is not a recurrence of the chronic problems that have bothered him since November, Watkins said, but the result of a fall McGrady took in the Rockets' 102-84 win over Portland on March 5.

McGrady scored 18 points, then left the game late in the third quarter.

He sat out the Rockets' 93-87 win over Minnesota on Tuesday, then left in the third quarter of Wednesday's 103-99 victory over Indiana when his back started hurting again.

McGrady scored 15 points, but said after the game he wasn't optimistic about a quick return.

"It's frustrating," McGrady said. "I've been dealing with it all season. It's the same old issue I've been dealing with."

The Rockets said McGrady's condition will be closely monitored over the weekend by the team's medical staff at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in Houston.

The Rockets are three games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They've won four in a row and 10 of their last 13, but their next eight opponents have winning records, starting with Sunday's game at San Antonio.

[bigboydan]

so much for houston's chances of getting that 8th seed.

[imgv94]

Goodbye Houston!!

[gorox]

yes, as a die hard houston fan, its sad. what makes it even more worrisome is who knows if itll ever go away. and with Yao ming finally turning the corner too...

[Illusion]

That's a tough blow. I agree, they won't make the playoffs for sure now.