Injuries sideline trio of guards for NBA Rockets
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-23 09:01

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Already lacking playmaker Tracy McGrady, Chinese center Yao Ming and his Houston Rockets teammates received more bad news about three more injured National Basketball Association guards.

Bob Sura underwent his second surgery in less than two months for a ruptured back disc, Dion Glover underwent right knee surgery and Rafer Alston was benched for Tuesday's game at Dallas with a hairline leg fracture.

The Rockets, with the Western Conference's worst record at 3-7, are struggling in the backcourt as they try to return to the playoffs, where they were ousted in last season's opening round.

Sura, 32, struggled with back pain in the past and there is no timetable for his return. He underwent right knee surgery in late September. He has yet to play after being expected to obtain a starting spot.

Last season, Sura played 61 games while fighting a variety of injuries and averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

Glover had surgery Tuesday in Atlanta to repair a bone defect and will be healing at least six weeks before a timetable for his return can begin to be calculated.

Glover averaged 8.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 294 games with Atlanta, Toronto and San Antonio.

Alston, obtained from Toronto in a pre-season deal because Sura was hurt, is averaging 7.1 points and 4.1 assists. He averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 assists in 331 games with Milwaukee, Toronto, Miami and Houston.