Olajuwon goes on injured list

TORONTO, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The Toronto Raptors placed veteran center Hakeem Olajuwon on the injured list Thursday with a right quadriceps strain.

Olajuwon, who suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's victory over the Orlando Magic, will not require surgery but must undergo an intensive rehabilitation program, according to the team.

The 39-year-old center is averaging 8.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.75 blocks in 36 games in his first season with the Raptors.

Olajuwon, a 14-time All-Star, spent the first 17 years of his career with Houston, where he won two NBA Championships, two Defensive Player of the Year titles and a Most Valuable Player award.

Toronto acquired Olajuwon in August, signing the future Hall of Famer to a three-year, $17 million deal. The Raptors gave up a lottery-protected 2002 first-round pick and a 2002 second-round pick they acquired from Detroit to land him.

Olajuwon is the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots with 3,740 and seventh in scoring with 26,802 points.

To replace Olajuwon on the roster, the Raptors activated center Michael Stewart, who was placed on the injured list Jan. 2 with inflammation of his left knee.

Stewart has appeared in just one game this season, collecting two points and one rebound in eight minutes at Seattle on Dec. 29.