--The Rockets had their regulars healthy for the same game for the first time this season on Tuesday. By the next game, the injuries were back.
The soreness in F Ron Artest's right ankle escalated while playing four games in five nights and by the next morning, he called to say he doubted he could play Friday in New Orleans. He returned to Houston, rather than the plan to join the team in New Orleans, and began therapy on the ankle again. He is considered day-to-day and is expected to be battling the injury for much of the season.
F Shane Battier played against New Orleans, but is also considered to be day-to-day while struggling with a sore left foot.
--In a move planned since training camp but delayed, like so many things with the Rockets season, by injury, the Rockets sent rookie C Joey Dorsey to the NBA Development League. Dorsey has played in just three games this season, all three at the end of routs. He missed several weeks with plantar fasciitis, but returned last week, scoring the first points of his career against the Nets.
"Just get him some experience, get him some time on the floor," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "There's a chance of him playing which is going to be huge, especially with not much practice time. This is a chance to get minutes on the floor and to keep his competitive edge."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I felt it looked like it was close, but we missed something there. We need more effort. We need more energy. I feel like we didn't get out of Christmas yet." -- Rockets C Yao Ming.
