Yao Ming returned to the Houston lineup on Tuesday after a 21-game injury layoff, but the Rockets' were unable to snap out of their recent malaise, going down 86-77 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Yao had 15 points and eight rebounds in his return from a foot injury that required surgery, but the Rockets remained firmly grounded, losing their third straight and 11th in 14 games.

Chucky Atkins, who was let go by the Washington Wizards and picked up by the Grizzlies last week, bagged 19 points for Memphis, who earned just their third win in 10 games.

Pau Gasol added 16 points and 11 rebounds to the Memphis cause while Mike Miller potted 17 points and Shane Battier 12.

Tracy McGrady had a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

It was only the 15th time this season Yao and leading-scorer Tracy McGrady played together. But the rare pairing wasn't enough for the Rockets to maintain an early burst. They let the deficit slip to double-digits in the second half, leading to their third straight loss.?

Yao, Houston's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, hadn't played since undergoing surgery December 19 to clean out an infection in his left big toe. The Rockets were 6-15 without him in the lineup.

The 7-foot-6 center is averaging 19.9 points and 9.0 rebounds in 22 games.

(CRI February 1, 2006)