Yao to have surgery Monday, could still play in Olympics

Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton will perform the surgery Monday in Houston. Yao sought a second opinion before opting for the procedure.

 Yao felt soreness in his left ankle that later was diagnosed as a tarsal navicular stress fracture, Clanton said last week.

 Clanton also indicated that the injury requires four months to heal but will not keep the 7-5 All-Star from playing for China in the Beijing Olympics this summer.

 According to Clanton, the surgery requires putting reinforcing screws in the bone. Yao could have taken a cast and crutches and allowed the fracture to heal on its own.

 The top overall pick in the 2002 draft, Yao was averaging 22.0 points and 10.8 rebounds this season. He has missed parts of the last two seasons with injuries and wills it out the remainder of this season.

 The Rockets had won 12 straight games before Yao was sidelined. They have won both their games without him, extending their streak to the longest in the NBA this season.