35-year old center Brad Miller hopes to be ready to return to the Rockets in January of 2012 after having microfracture surgery on his left knee. Miller played in 60 games (5 starts) in his first season with the Rockets and he averaged 16.9 minutes, 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Miller has now played in 853 games (597 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 28.6 minutes, 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He proved last season that he had a little bit left in the gas tank so the Rockets hope he’s ready to return to action in January.

The Rockets have lost starting center Chuck Hayes for the next 2-4 weeks with a sprained ankle. Hayes has played in 31 games (20 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 21.5 minutes, 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 54.2% shooting from the floor. The Rockets will use 23-year old Jordan Hill and 34-year old Brad Miller at center until Hayes is ready to return to action. Hill has played in 29 games (1 start) so far this year and he is averaging 17.5 minutes, 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game on 51.3% from the floor. I look for Hill to step up and respond to the challenge. Brad Miller has played in 30 games (5 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 18.1 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Miller is shooting an amazing 43.4% from three point range so far this year. I think Hill & Miller will do a good job while Hayes is out of action.

30-year old center Yao Ming’s season is over as he has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left ankle. Yao played in 5 games (all starts) for the Rockets this year and he averaged 18.2 minutes, 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.6 blocked shots. Yao has now played in 482 games (476 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 32.5 minutes, 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. It will be interesting to see what the Rockets decide to do with Yao because they just can’t count on him to stay healthy.

The Houston Rockets will be without starting center Yao Ming for the next week due to a strained tendon in his left leg. Yao has played in 5 games (all starts) so far this year and he is averaging 18.2 minutes, 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game. Yao is being limited to 24 minutes per night and he isn’t playing in second end of back to back games. Still, he’s playing well in his limited minutes and the Rockets will take it easy with him with this injury.

UPDATE: (11/23/2010) - The Rockets are going to be without Yao for another two weeks as they are going to take it slow with him and that’s a smart move.

The Rockets will be without starting point guard Aaron Brooks for the next 4-6 weeks due to a high ankle sprain. Brooks has played in 5 games (all starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 29.6 minutes, 16.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. The Rockets hope that Kyle Lowry will be ready to return to action so that he can start at point guard until Brooks returns to action. Lowry has played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 20.5 minutes, 5.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The Rockets are paying Lowry a lot of money as they matched a big offer from the Cavaliers over the summer, so they expect him to do a good job while Brooks is out of action. Undrafted rookie Ishmael Smith will also see some extended P.T. while Brooks is out. Smith has played in 4 games (1 start) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 22.3 minutes, 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Smith will need to improve his shooting (25% from the floor) if the Rockets are going to count on him.