Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest is likely to be sidelined for upcoming NBA games after an MRI exam showed two slightly torn ligaments in his right ankle.

Artest, who has averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20 games in his first season with the Rockets, could have suffered the injuries as a result of playing on concrete for years, according to team officials.

Artest hurt his ankle last month in what was first thought to be merely a sprain, but when the pain continued, the deeper exam showed how the sprain has aggravated the ankle tendons.

Artest did not play on Monday in a 109-97 loss to Memphis, and he scored 19 points in a 92-84 win over Atlanta on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2008)