Houston Rockets forward Carl Landry was injured in the left leg Tuesday morning in a possible drive-by shooting or failed robbery near downtown, police said.

Landry suffered a minor gunshot wound to his lower left leg and was released after treatment at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, the team said.

"We are very thankful and relieved that Carl's injuries were relatively minor and that he is doing well," Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey said in a statement.

He said the 25-year-old player was the victim of "an apparent random act of violence". Landry is expected to return to action in one to three weeks, he said.

The shooting reportedly happened early Tuesday morning after the Rockets returned from a game at New Orleans.

Police said a car with two occupants hit Landry's vehicle from behind. Landry got shot when he went out to inspect the damage. The Rockets also said Landry dislocated a finger on his left hand in the incident.

Landry has become a valuable player off the bench for the Rockets, averaging 9.3 points and five rebounds in his second professional season. He totaled 12 points and six rebounds and played a key role in the Rockets' 95-84 win over the Hornets at New Orleans.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2009)