11/16/2004 09:21:15 AM|||Shep|||

"Houston Rockets All-Star guard Tracy McGrady returned to the court Monday during the team's 80-69 victory over the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena.

McGrady, who had missed the Rockets' last two contests due to a strained right hip flexor, scored 14 points in 38 minutes. The NBA's leading scorer in each of the past two seasons looked rusty at times, hitting just 6-of-15 shots and managing just one rebound. However, McGrady did dish out four assists and racked up four steals in a solid all-around outing."

Fantasy Impact

McGrady is clearly not "back" yet... Although 4 steals is a good thing. But as a first round pick in most leagues, we have to expect more from him. The Rockets are playing 5 games this week, though, so if McGrady can put in some time in all of those games, it should be a good week for him. Playing that much coming off an injury might not be a good idea, though, especially for someone like McGrady. I don't see him playing major minutes against Atlanta or the Clippers, since the Rockets should be able to win those games without a lot of input from him.|||110061847555780686|||The Sports Network - McGrady back in Rockets' lineup