Rockets soar over Thunder despite McGrady injury

The Houston Rockets eased to a 100-89 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, in a victory that was marred by a knee injury to seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady.

Luis Scola led Houston (7-4) with 23 points while Yao Ming added 19 points and 12 rebounds, but the Rockets seemed more concerned about McGrady's injury than they were about beating the struggling Thunder (1-10), losers of eight straight games.

McGrady left the game in the first minute of the second half after aggravating his surgically repaired left knee, which has troubled him in recent seasons.

"Tonight I went back to square one, even before surgery, is how my knee is feeling right now," McGrady told reporters. "My game is really based on athleticism and that's something that I don't have right now.

"It's sharp pain. It almost just seems like I never had surgery. I'm feeling the same pain."

McGrady, who underwent the surgery in the off-season, did not go to the locker room but remained on the bench for the rest of the game after being helped off the court by team trainers.

He will have an MRI scan on Tuesday.

Ron Artest added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets but also picked up an injury, leaving the floor in the final minute clutching his right ankle and he was still limping after the game.

"People sprain their ankles all the time," Artest said. "It's not a big deal."

Yao also left the game early after making a hook shot with 3:29 to play which put Houston 94-78 ahead. He appeared in some pain after making the shot and joined McGrady on the bench, but told reporters he did not think it was anything serious.

Kevin Durant had 29 points to lead the Thunder, who moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle this season. The Thunder franchise has now lost nine straight and 15 of 16 games to Houston.