HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee. Steve Francis Francis The 6-foot-3 Francis hasn't played since Dec. 15. He's appeared in only 10 games this season with three starts, averaging 5.5 points and three assists. The team said Francis will have surgery Feb. 25. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, had said the injury was to the left knee. Francis signed a one-year contract with the Rockets with an option for a second year, returning to the city where he played from 1999-2004. He was traded to Orlando in 2004 in a deal that brought Tracy McGrady to the Rockets. After two seasons with the Magic, Francis spent two seasons with New York. The former Maryland star has career averages of 18 points and six assists, but his numbers have steadily declined since he left the Magic. "It is obviously disappointing to have my season cut short by this injury," Francis said. "The opportunity to come back and help the Rockets compete for a championship this season was very special to me. Unfortunately, I've been dealing with this injury for the better part of three seasons going back to my days in New York." The Rockets play Cleveland on Thursday night, but may be without leading scorer Tracy McGrady, who skipped the morning shootaround with what the team called a respiratory infection. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
So what is the prognosis? What happens in the operation? What are the chances for complete recovery? What is recovery time? Why don't reporters report any more? DD
