Los Angeles - Houston Rockets' centre Yao Ming underwent successful season-ending surgery on Monday to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, the team announced. The surgery was performed by Rockets team physician Dr Tom Clanton and Dr Bill McGarvey at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Centre.
"Yao is comfortable and recovering well after surgery," Clanton said in a statement. "At this stage, we will continue to monitor his recovery and begin an aggressive rehabilitation once he is physically deemed ready."
The 7-foot-6 Chinese superstar was diagnosed with the foot injury last week. After weighing his options, Yao decided to have the surgery, in which Clanton placed screws across the bone to hold it together.
The recovery time is expected to be four months, and the six-time NBA all-star is hopeful he can be ready to play for his native China, which hosts the Beijing Olympics in August.
"I am very relieved that everything went well with my surgery today," Yao said in a statement. "I am looking forward to getting better and starting my physical rehab as soon as the doctors say I can."
The Rockets remain red hot without Yao. They have won an NBA season-high 15 consecutive games, including the last three since losing their big man, matching the longest streak in franchise history set during their 1993-94 championship season.
