Personnel Department

PERSONNEL DEPT.

Wizards: F Caron Butler (strained left hip flexor) missed his 10th straight game. C Etan Thomas (heart surgery) and G Gilbert Arenas (left knee) remain out.

Rockets: The team yesterday announced that all-star C Yao Ming will miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. Entering last night's game, the Rockets were 28-34 all-time without Ming, who was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2002 draft. The team signed G-F Bobby Jones to a 10-day contract and waived G Adam Haluska. G Steve Francis (torn quadriceps tendon in right knee) is out for the season.

BY THE NUMBERS

102

Three-pointers made this season by Wizards G DeShawn Stevenson. He connected on 101 three-point attempts in his past three seasons combined.

21-4

Houston's record since Jan. 1, entering last night's game. The Rockets entered the game on a 12-game winning streak and had won 16 of the last 17.

9

Consecutive Washington losses to the Rockets prior to last night