Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton said Yao's injury was thought to be a sprained ankle aggravated by bone spurs. But a CT scan showed the stress fracture.

"This is not an injury that we feel he can play with," said Clanton, who recommended surgery on the foot. The team said Yao hasn't decided on whether to have the surgery.

Yao will miss the rest of the Rockets' season, including any playoff games. Clanton said it was unclear whether Yao would be ready to play for China in the Summer Olympics in Beijing in August.

Yao averaged 22 points and 10.8 rebounds a game for Houston this season. He missed just on game so far, sitting out Jan. 27 with an upper-respiratory infection. The Rockets have won 12 consecutive games since then.

Houston is 36-20 this season, in seventh place in the NBA Western Division.