Ankle injury sidelines Thompson

HOUSTON, July 9 (UPI) -- Houston Comets forward Tina Thompson will miss the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game because of an ankle injury.

Thompson, who received 81,825 votes to earn a start for the Western Conference in Saturday's All-Star Game at New York, injured her left ankle at practice on Monday.

X-rays and an MRI on Tuesday revealed that she has a left ankle sprain, and she will be sidelined 7-10 days. She sat out Tuesday night's 60-56 win over Indiana.

The WNBA has named San Antonio guard Marie Ferdinand as a replacement for Thompson.

She has averaged 14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 16 games this season.

"I am very happy to be joining (teammate) Margo (Dydek) on this year's All-Star team," said Ferdinand. "It is an honor to be representing the Silver Stars in my second All-Star game."

Thompson, a 6-2 forward, is fifth in scoring at 18.0 points per game, and also is among the league leaders in rebounding (5.8) and three-point field-goal percentage (.436).