He's back
Yao returns from foot injury to score 11 points in exhibition
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HOUSTON -- The big fella is back.
Yao Ming, who missed the final four games of the Rockets' regular season with a broken left foot, returned to the hardwood on Friday to play for the Chinese national team in an exhibition game against Germany.
Yao scored 11 points in his debut, but China suffered an 82-73 loss to Germany in Nanjing, China.
Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Germans in a tune-up game for the upcoming FIBA World Championships.
Yao had a couple of dunks and revitalized a Chinese team that had lost to the United States by 46 points.
"Yao Ming is a great player. He's one of the best centers in the world, but I was very impressed with the whole team," German player Patrick Femerling told the Associated Press. "They're very mobile, agile and versatile players."
The Rockets center had previously stated that his left foot is healed and that he plans on playing in the FIBA World Championships.
Yao, who missed 21 games earlier in the NBA season with a toe injury, broke his left foot on April 11 and underwent surgery to repair it.
Before Friday's exhibition, Yao hadn't played in a
game in four months.
