NBA superstar Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury, according to his Houston Rockets team doctor.
Dr Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that Chinese centre Yao's injury "has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening."
Yahoo! Sports first reported the Rockets and Yao's representatives were concerned the 7ft 6in (2.29m) All-Star would never play again quoting "multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses".
Yao suffered a hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone late in a May 8 play-off game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The team said last week the injury hadn't healed and he was out indefinitely.
Yao played in 77 regular-season games in 2008-09, his most injury-free year since 2004-05 when he played in 80. Before last season, Yao missed chunks of previous three seasons with leg and foot injuries.
Last week, the team said Yao would undergo additional tests and consult with other doctors to map out a new course of treatment.
Yao is due to make over $US16 million ($A19.81 million) next season with a player option for 2010-11 that would pay him over $US17 million ($A21.05 million). He was the top overall pick by the Rockets in the 2002 draft.
General manager Daryl Morey said last week Yao's uncertain status wouldn't affect any of his off-season plans for trades or free-agent signings. He has said the Rockets are interested in re-signing free agent Ron Artest.
HOUSTON AP
