Injured player Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. Rockets lost 78-118. [Xinhua/Qi Heng]

Yao Ming (R1), Luis Scola (R3), Tracy McGrady (L2) and Shane Battier(L1) of the Houston Rockets sit on the bench in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. Rockets lost 78-118. [Xinhua/Qi Heng]

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2009)