NBA: Each team’s greatest comeback from injury in franchise history

Greatest injury comeback in Houston Rockets history: Yao Ming

Leg and foot injuries

7-foot-6 center Yao Ming took the NBA by storm when he was selected first overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, becoming the highest player from an international league taken first overall in the draft.

Yao’s first three seasons in the NBA went without a hitch, as he appeared in 244 games and continued to raise his scoring and efficiency.

In 2004-05, he put up 18.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest.

Then during the 2005-06, he suffered his first setback with an injury. He developed a bone infection on his left big toe causing him to miss all but 57 games during the regular season. With four games left in the regular season, he broke his left foot against the Utah Jazz.

From 2005-08, Yao appeared in 160 games due to a rash of injuries. He still managed to average over 22.0 points per game, but the rehab process was brutal as he looked to return to form. Given his popularity, he still managed to make All-Star appearances in eight of the nine seasons he played for Houston.

In 2008-09, he returned to form, averaging 19.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per contest in 77 appearances. Yao snagged a career-high 38 double-doubles, showing that his injuries could behind him.

During the postseason though, he suffered another major setback when he suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot. Injuries forced him to retire in July 2011 but his No. 11 jersey was still retired by the Houston Rockets in 2017.