Rockets F Artest does not start with ankle injury

Dec 9, 2008 - 5:17 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest did not play in Monday's 109-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Artest, who has been battling a sprained right ankle, joined injured guards Tracy McGrady and Brent Barry on the sideline for the Rockets.

However, Artest apparently tried to give it a go Monday. He dressed and came out for pregame warmups before changing into a suit just a few minutes into the game.

"It's just nagging a little bit," Artest told the Houston Chronicle before the game. "We tried to see if we can work it out, but it'll be all right. It should be better by (Tuesday).

"We just trying to not tweak anything. I should be OK."

In his first season with the Rockets, Artest has averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds through 20 games.

Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay also was out of the starting lineup for showing up late for the team's shootaround Monday.

Gay, who has averaged 19.5 points entering the contest, checked into the game with 2:44 remaining in the first quarter. He scored 20 points off the bench in this one.

"It was just one of those days where nothing went right," Gay said of his late arrival to Monday's shootaround. "I was just five minutes late. It was just one of those days.

"I guess I just wanted to impose my will. I didn't get a chance to start so I wanted to go out there and become a threat as soon as I could."