Monday, December 28, 2009

McGrady will not play for Rockets this weekend

Tracy McGrady was not with the Houston Rockets when they played the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night, nor will he play Sunday in Cleveland.

McGrady, who accompanied the team to New Jersey, was given permission to return home Saturday, said team spokesperson Tracey Hughes. He left before the Rockets' 98-93 victory over the Nets.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said the team would wait until it returned to Houston after the weekend to consider any changes to the rotation.

McGrady has been unhappy with his diminished role. He has played sparingly in six games this season following microfracture surgery on his left knee in February. The 12-year veteran, a two-time NBA scoring champion, is averaging only 3.2 points in the comeback.

The Rockets have overcome injuries to McGrady and Yao Ming's left foot surgery to contend for the Southwest Division lead. They are only three games behind Dallas.