Bizzy
Years ago
NBA Today
HOUSTON -- Houston star Tracy McGrady left Sunday night's game against Denver with a recurrence of severe back spasms.
The 6-foot-9 McGrady, who missed eight games earlier in the season because of back spasms, missed a deep jumper near the top of the key in the final seconds of the first half. He started backpedalling, stopped abruptly, bent over and crumpled to the floor, screaming in pain as the buzzer sounded.
McGrady was lifted onto a stretcher and rolled off the floor, surrounded by several team officials and owner Les Alexander. An ambulance took McGrady to the hospital.
The Rockets are already missing their other star, Yao Ming, who's out at least another month after surgery to remove an infection from his left big toe.
Guards Rafer Alston and Jon Barry recently returned from leg injuries and Derek Anderson remains sidelined with a calf strain. The backcourt trio has missed a total of 45 games this season.
McGrady had topped 30 points in Houston's last five games. He had 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting in the first half against Denver.
Can it get much worse for the Rockets? They've lost something like 4 players now to substantial injuries.
