McGrady earns weekly honor

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON -- What stiff back?

Rockets star Tracy McGrady, shrugging off his latest absence from back-related problems, was named the Western Conference's player of the week on Monday after lifting Houston to three straight wins.

The seven-time All-Star averaged 28.0 points, 7.2 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals over a three-game stretch. He netted 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a win over Seattle and carried the Rockets down the stretch against New Orleans/Oklahoma City with 25 points and 10 assists.

The performances lifted the Rockets to a 3-0 record over the week and put the team in a position to gain home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

McGrady strung together the performance after missing one game and most of another with a stiff lower back. He didn't play against the Blazers on April 6 before returning to the starting lineup two days later.

McGrady earned player of the week honors for the 10th time in his career and became the second Rockets star to earn the honor this season. Rockets center Yao Ming has earned the honor twice this season.