McGrady Says He'll Miss 3 Weeks for Knee Rehab

"It's kind of been a never-ending story this year, with guys in and out," Adelman said.

McGrady has been listed as "day to day" lately in the Rockets' game notes. He made a last-minute decision not to play in the Rockets' 91-90 loss to Indiana last Wednesday, then said he would miss two more games and visit Dr. Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Adelman wants McGrady to take all the time he needs.

"When he does go out on the court, he's got to be able to push himself," Adelman said. "If he can't go through it, then it's best for him not to play until he feels comfortable doing that. That's been my stance right along."

Adelman acknowledged that McGrady's condition had become a distraction for the Rockets, who were 11-7 and leading the Southwest Division heading into Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"We just don't know when he was going to play, or if he was going to play," Adelman said. "If you know someone is out, you just go, you plug somebody in. It's been a problem, because Shane's coming back and you try to limit his minutes and Yao's minutes somewhat. It's not easy for anybody, but it's reality and what we have to face."

Battier said the Rockets are glad to finally have a definitive timeline on McGrady's status.

"You want certainty of knowing what you have going forward," he said.

McGrady missed 12 games last season with various injuries to the same knee and sat out nine games in 2006-07 with back pain. The seven-time All-Star is confident that as long as he rehabs properly, he'll regain his old form this season.

"I'm fortunate enough that I will be able to overcome this," he said. "I don't have to worry about losing any of my quickness, my explosiveness. I should be ready to go by the end of this month."

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