Rockets without Artest, but McGrady may return soon

Dec 11, 2008 - 8:15 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets will be without Ron Artest for at least the next two games, but may be getting closer to getting Tracy McGrady back.

According to a report Thursday on the Houston Chronicle web site, Artest is not expected to accompany the Rockets on their two-game road trip this weekend in order to rest his sore and swollen right ankle.

On the other hand, McGrady reportedly is planning to travel with the team and is questionable to play. He has missed the past seven games because of a sore left knee, a lingering effect of offseason surgery, and was expected to be sidelined until Christmas.

Artest has two slightly torn ligaments in his right ankle. An MRI exam performed Tuesday revealed the injury - an existing condition that may have resulted from years of playing on concrete, and the forward's playing status will be determined on a game-to-game basis.

Artest injured the ankle last month and it was originally thought that he had simply suffered a sprain. Continued discomfort, however, prompted the MRI, which indicated the ankle sprain had aggravated the damaged ligaments.

Artest did not play in Monday's 109-97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, but returned Tuesday to score 19 points in just under 40 minutes in a 92-84 win over Atlanta.

In his first season with the Rockets, Artest has averaged 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds through 21 games.