Yao Ming hurts knee in fourth quarter, limps off court, returns

Yao Ming hurts knee in fourth quarter

LOS ANGELES — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming hurt his right knee Monday night when he collided with Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s Western Conference semifinal opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant drove on Yao in the key and the two collided, with Yao falling to the floor. Los Angeles’ Pau Gasol picked up the ball for a slam dunk that pulled the Lakers to 85-79 with 4:54 left.

Yao grabbed his knee and grimaced in pain as he sat on the floor. After being tended to, he limped off the court. Moments later, he was back in the game.