Rockets G McGrady returns to lineup

Dec 13, 2008 - 7:41 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady is evidently a quick healer.

McGrady scored 24 points in his return to the lineup Friday night, leading the Rockets to a 119-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors after missing seven games while recovering from a sore left knee, a lingering effect of offseason surgery.

"I felt pretty good," McGrady said. "The second half I came out a little rusty but, for the most part, I felt pretty good making shots and rebounding.

"I was trying to do a little extra for us tonight to get a win. I was working to try to get back. I was in a nice little groove tonight."

The All-Star was expected to be sidelined until Christmas but decided to travel with the team on its two-game road trip to California. He was in the starting lineup against the Warriors after being listed as questionable before the game.

McGrady, who is averaging 15.6 points and 4.0 assists in 15 games this season, also had 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes against Golden State, falling just short of his fourth career triple-double.