Injured Yi Jianlian ends Rookie season

Chinese basketball player Yi Jianlian will miss the remaining eight games of the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA season due to a ligament injury in his left knee.

Local Milwaukee Daily reports the Bucks announced Yi's break on Saturday, saying it will take the power forward at most three weeks to recover.

The team's manager Larry Krystkowiak said Yi's injury is not serious and a surgery is not needed, which will ensure the player make full preparation for the Beijing Olympiad.

Yi strained his ligament in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards last week. His break also puts an end to the Chinese players' performance this season.

The "Little Giant" Yao Ming is also on the injury list of the Houston Rockets after a fracture in the left foot.

Yi averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in the 66 games of his rookie season, in which he started 44 times for the Bucks.

The Milwaukee side is 13th in the East Conference with 26 wins and 49 losses, a result to keep them off the playoff season.