Tracy McGrady returned to Houston's lineup Tuesday against Indiana after sitting out seven games with back spasms.

The Rockets were 2-5 without McGrady, who averaged 19.2 points, 6.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds a game. Now, Houston is missing leading scorer Yao Ming for six weeks after he fractured the bone under his right knee Saturday.

Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, meanwhile, was sitting out Tuesday's game with flu symptoms.

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady, who Monday went through a fourth consecutive day of workouts without complications, could be ready to play tonight against the Indiana Pacers.

Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said a decision would not be made until after today's shootaround.

McGrady, 27, who has missed seven games because of back spasms suffered Dec. 9, had not been able to work out on consecutive days before the past four days.

Al Harrington and Marquis Daniels were held out of the Indiana Pacers' game against the Bulls on Monday night because of a stomach ailment that also affected two other players.

The Pacers were also without guard Stephen Jackson, who was suspended because of his heated exchange with coach Rick Carlisle, who kicked him off the bench in a weekend loss to Cleveland.

Jermaine O'Neal was also sickened but wasn't going to play anyway because of a hamstring injury. He stayed back at the team hotel.

Jamaal Tinsley, also sick, will start for the Pacers.

Carlisle wasn't sure if it was food poisoning that caused the illness.

"Everybody is throwing up," said Carlisle. "I'm not really sure of all the details, but I just know a couple of guys couldn't get out of bed this morning."

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday that guard Stephen Jackson has been suspended for Monday night?s game at Chicago for conduct detrimental to the team during Saturday night?s game at Cleveland.

Already shorthanded, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle tossed guard Stephen Jackson from his bench in the second quarter for "conduct detrimental to the team."

Jackson, who scored four points in the first half, was told by Carlisle not to come back to the floor after halftime.

Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News reports that Allen Iverson told the Sixers he would prefer to be traded to either the Bulls or Celtics.

He also reports that the Nuggets and Pacers are interested in becomming involved with the talks.

The Pacers will play their next two games without their primary post presence. Jermaine O'Neal will miss both weekend games, including Saturday in Cleveland, with a sore left hamstring.

O'Neal began feeling tightness in the hamstring during the team's recently completed six-game road trip but did not miss any games. He was unable to practice Thursday and has been ruled out for the weekend.

He will be re-evaluated for Tuesday's game in Chicago.

A new trial date has been set for Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who faces charges for allegedly shooting a gun in the air several times during a fight outside a strip club.

Jackson was in Marion Superior Court on Wednesday as a judge scheduled a February 12 trial. The judge also set the same trial date for Deon Willford, who was also charged in the October 6 fight outside Club Rio on the city's west side.

Only one trial will take place that day, and the state wants to try Willford first, said David Wyser, chief trial deputy for the Marion County prosecutor's office. Both Jackson and Willford have so far rejected deals that would have required them to plead guilty to the most serious charges, Wyser said.

Al Harrington has scored a Knockout with the Police Athletic League's Youth Boxing Team.  On Thursday December 7, 2006 at 5:30pm, Harrington will open a boxing ring for the PAL boxing facility at the Christamore House located at 502 N. Tramont Street, on the Indianapolis's Westside. The donation also included an Everlast competition boxing ring, corner pads, corner stools, bell and clock.

Harrington, who uses boxing as part of his off season workout believes that boxing is a great way to help young men channel negative energy into something worth fighting for -- self-improvement and self-respect.

The Indianapolis Police Athletic league began in1950 and has hosted over 100,000 inner city youth in various sports activities and after school programs. PAL's boxing league is one of the most respected youth boxing programs in the state, whose members are young men aged 10-18.  

The Police Athletic League is not federally funded and relies on community support to keeps it's programs running.  The Harrington/Everlast donation which totaled in excess of $10,000, will also give the league the opportunity to host boxing matches at the Christamore House, which in turn, will enable them to raise additional revenues for the program.

Since Harrington's return to Indianapolis, he has made it his mission to give 110% to his team and community.  

For more information on Al Harrington, please visit his website at www.AlHarrington32.com.  For additional information on PAL programs go to www.indypal.org

Kobe Bryant scored 21 points before leaving with a sprained ankle, and the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 101-87 on Monday night.

Bryant got an offensive rebound and missed an off-balance shot before landing on Indiana center Jeff Foster's right foot early in the third quarter. Bryant was helped off the court before walking to the dressing room without assistance.

Bryant came back to the bench a couple minutes later, but didn't return to the game. As he sat on the bench, he tested his ankle and then used a large elastic band to keep it loose. He didn't ice it and didn't seem to be in pain.