Sore foot sidelines Yao for Rockets-Mavs contest

[GotGibson?]

Houston center Yao Ming sat out the Rockets' game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night because of a a sore left foot, an injury the six-time All-Star said wasn't serious.

Yao was hurt against Oklahoma City on Monday night. He underwent tests on Tuesday and Wednesday that revealed no structural damage.

"It's nothing bad," said Yao, the Rockets' leading scorer, averaging 17 points. "I'm all right, actually. I'll maybe take a few days, maybe one day."

Yao is expected to play at Washington on Friday night.

Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest were expected to play on Wednesday after also leaving Monday's game with injuries. McGrady tweaked his sore left knee that's bothered him for months and Artest sprained his right ankle.

Injuries have cut short Yao's last three seasons and he got a scare Tuesday, when doctors said he might be out "a couple weeks." They gave him a much less severe diagnosis on Wednesday morning, Yao said.

"My experience from the last three years has scared me," Yao said. "From what I've learned, if I feel any pain or hurt, tell the doctor and take a look at it. We need to find out early, get treatment early."

Yao broke his left foot last February and missed the final 26 games of the regular season. He had surgery and said he was fully recovered when training camp began.