NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Houston's Yao Ming came down with flu-like symptoms and was not in the lineup when the Rockets visited the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.
The Rockets announced shortly before tip-off that Dikembe Mutombo would start in Yao's place.Yao, a 7-foot-6 center, is averaging 19.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in his seventh NBA season. He played as recently as Saturday night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a loss to San Antonio.
Also, Hornets coach Byron Scott said Peja Stojakovic should be ready to play soon, but would miss his seventh straight game with back soreness.
"Sometime this week I expect him to be back out there, or this homestand," Scott said.
