Houston Rockets superstar Tracy McGrady will miss the remainder of the season and have immediate microfracture surgery on his troublesome left knee.
It was confirmed by a statement published on his website on Wednesday.
"My season has come to an end. My knee hasn't been right all year, and we can't seem to get the pain to go away," McGrady wrote in his statement.
"We've tried just playing through it, taking back-to-backs off, and extended periods of rest, but none of it has really been effective in limiting the discomfort and allowing me to just go out there and play."
It is unusual for a player in NBA announcing withdrawal from the season before his club. The Rockets have had no comment up till now.
"Microfracture surgery is a serious procedure, but I'm confident that I will be able to return next season with the same strength and explosiveness you are all used to seeing from me," added McGrady.
He said: "It has been extremely frustrating dealing with the knee injury this season. It's been tough on me both physically and mentally and while we've come to this conclusion after much deliberation, we truly feel this is best for both me and the Rockets in the long term."
McGrady, third-leading scorer on Houston's team this season, missed 19 games this season while trying to rehabilitate his knee after surgery last May. He averaged 15.6 points per game, making a career-low 38.8 percent of his shots.
Though McGrady declared his season over, Houston are actively looking to make moves not involving the star guard before Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
"I always thought he was injured and has problems," Rockets owner Les Alexander said of MaGrady on Tuesday. "There will be more news coming out in the next couple days. He's a great player when he's healthy and a great competitor."
(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)
