Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest is likely to be sidelined for upcoming
NBA games after an MRI exam showed two slightly torn ligaments in his right
ankle.
Artest, who has averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 games in his
first season with the Rockets, could have suffered the injuries as a result of
playing on concrete for years, according to team officials.
Artest hurt his ankle last month in what was first thought to be merely a
sprain, but when the pain continued, the deeper exam showed how the sprain has
aggravated the ankle tendons.
Artest did not play on Monday in a 109-97 loss to Memphis, and he scored 19
points in a 92-84 win over Atlanta on Tuesday.
