Houston Rockets' superstar Tracy McGrady has decided to shut down the rest of his injury-plagued season to undergo left knee microfracture surgery, it was reported Wednesday, dpa reported.
Last week, McGrady said he no plans for surgery, and would return to the lineup after the All-Star break. However, he now says he will need it, because of the on-going troubles with the knee, according to ESPN.com.
"The last couple of games, I've regressed," McGrady told the sports network at halftime of last Wednesday's game. "I've felt pain."
A seven-time All-Star selection, "T-Mac" has missed 19 games this season while rehabbing the knee, which was operated on May 6. As a result, the former league scoring champion is averaging 15.6 points per game and hitting a career-low 38.8 per cent of his floor shots.
"I always thought he was injured and has problems," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander told the Houston Chronicle. "He's a great player when he's healthy and a great competitor."
McGrady was reportedly examined Tuesday in New York and has another visit scheduled for Wednesday.
Though his name has been included in recent trade talks, Alexander said he has no interest in dealing McGrady.
"I don't think we're going to part ways with Tracy," he said. "Everybody wants us to. We acquired a great superstar and everybody wants us to trade the great superstar. You don't get superstars that often."
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